P3 J. y pointments very rich. Mantel and woodwork carved or inlaid. Gen- eral tone of scene deep in color, to contrast with bril- liancy of drawing-room in next act. Discover^ : Nich- olas Vanalstyne, Jr., sitting at desk down\. Enter Musgrave from door up l., inventory in hand. Van., Jr., is ope7iing letters from a jnle of correspond- erice ; glancing at some and putting them aside, reading others. He is in rich dressing-jacket, his face rather pale and slightly sunken. Musgrave is an elderly man ; he is running up columns of figures in a business paper as the curtain rises. Musgrave. (footing up the columns). Five; eight; fifty -three. (Speaks to Van., Jr.) The whole amount is fifty-three millions, eight hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, sir. (Comes down, lays inventory on young Nick's desk, and goes to c.) Van., Jr. (considting a memorandum). I forgot to give you the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western first mortgage bonds in the Chemical Bank. Put them in at two millions; and unencumbered real estate— say five millions. , Musgrave. Yes, sir. (Speaking aside as he proceeds. ) I'm certain there's another great operation under weigh. 8 *' THE HENRIETTA." I wonder if it is the Henrietta Mining and Land Company. But, Lord bless me, I know about as much of what old Nicholas Vanalstyne is doing as the body-servant of a general does about the plan of campaign. (TJie telephone bell sounds. Musgrave goes to it, putting the tube to his ear. ) Hello! (listens, and then speaks into telephone). The order was for five thousand shares at one forty-seven and an eighth. What? (Listens, and then sjjeaks to Van., Jr.) Watson Flint & Co. wish to knovv^ if they shall fill your order for Chicago and Northwestern preferred. It's a quarter higher this morning. Van., Jr. Yes. Musgrave. (in telephone). Yes; buy. Eh? Evans- ville and Terre Haute ? (Listens.) Oh! (To Van., Jr.) About that ninety-five thousand dollars, sir, in Van. , Jr. I don't care to be worried about trifles like that this morning. Tell them to use their own judgment. Musgrave. (in telephone). Do f^s you think best about the smaller matters to-day. Good-by. Van., Jr. I'm not well, Musgrave. Kindly tell the servant lo show Dr. Wainwright directly to this room when he calls. Musgrave. Yes, sir. Trifles! In over thirty years I have laid by a little more than six thousand dollars by rigid economy, and the Vanalstynes made half a million by one little turn in the market last Friday. (Exit into apartment door.) Van., Jr. What's this ? (Suddenly looking at a letter.) Gertrude's handwriting ! Addressed to my real name !— and here ! (Breaks it open, and reads. ) " This letter will surprise you ; but not so much, nor so terribly, as it sur- prised me, to learn, for the first time, to-night, your true name ; and— I can hardly write the words— the fact— that you— have— a— wife ! / have been your wife, and I am the mother of your child ; the blessing of Heaven upon our union was never sought ; but how little I knew that the curse of Heaven was hanging over me so darkly ! " (He reads a moment longer in silence, then sets his teeth, folds the letter deliberately, and tearing it up with a deter- mined motion, throws the letter in waste-paper basket at foot of desk.) Curse the woman ! (Enter Musgrave ujj l. c.) Musgrave. I liave finished the inventory, sir, and struck the balance. (Giving him jx-tper.) Van., Jr. (taking it). Musgrave, tell Watson Flint & THE HENRIETTA. Co. to buy me an option. (Musgrave makes notes)— Chi- cago, Santa Fe and California— buy three -at current rates— five thousand shares. C. A. (Nicholas Vanalstyne appears above the screen R. New York Herald in his hand.) Vanalstyne. Here, here, what the devil are you doing that for? {Crosses toe, smoking cigar.) Van., Jr. I'm amusing myself, father. I must have sometliing to think about. (Musgrave crosses, folds screen, and places it behind desk.) Vanalstyne. But that's gambling, my son. Sell an option on Nebraska and Montana ; I'm going to water that stock to-morrow. Never gamble, my son ; it isn t right. Squeeze the shorts, that's business. While you re about it I may as well have a little fun with the boys on the street myself. Make it ten thousand for each of us, Mus- ^^SuSgrave. Yes, sir ! {Exit up L., closing door.) Vanalstyne. I see by the paper this morning that the Wall Street lambs are buying Nebraska and Montana very freely. {Returns and sits at desk. Reads.) " Nicholas Vanalstvne, the greatest operator now in the street, says that it is only a question of time when this stock will be a sure dividend at eight per cent." Did I say time ? That was a slip of the tongue. I meant eternity, i-^^ads^ " The room-traders, who threw over Louisville and Nash- ville, were completely fooled by the fact that ' old Nick Vanalstyne had been telling them the honest truth. ihe boys on the Stock Exchange will never understand the strictly truthful principles on which I conduct my busi- ness affairs. I never made a big haul yet, except hy tell- ing the honest truth. I only lie between times. ''Truth crushed to earth will rise again." I know exactly when to let her rise ; that's all. When I'm lying, I let em rob each otlier. The plaintive wail that goes up from Wall Street, whenever I corner it, is a touching tribute to the sincerity of my character. " Damn old Vanalstyne !— he s been telling us the truth again." , Van. , Jr. Here is the inventory of our securities, avail- able and unavailable. {Rises and exits to Old Nick at desk R. , and returns immediately to his desk -L.) Van. Ah! {taking it, R.). Hello! Forty-eight mil- lions already out as collaterals ; balance available only twenty-two millions. My son. ( Turns in chair, and looks at Young Nick.) Some other big fish is swimming in these waters, and there aren't any signs of where he is yet. y J ;iO « THE HENRIETTA/' Some great operator is going against us in this Henrietta mine deal. I liave felt his hand at every move in the game, but I can't see him. He's working in the dark. I did think it was my old enemy, John Van Brunt ; but our lawyers have got him in Chancery. Whoever it is, we've got to move very carefully ; my balance to work on is get- ting narrow. I got this infernal Henrietta mine on a three-hundred-dollar bluff, in a friendly game of poker. I incorporated the game — I mean the mine— for twenty millions capital ; bought the whole town, including two newspapers and an opera house, and all the railways, run- ning in that direction, not to mention the branch lines and a steamship company, to say nothing of six million acres of public land grants. The Henrietta Railway and Mining Company now pervades and ramifies the entire country— from Ohio to California. It has become the financial focus of the solar system. I only had ace, high and a Jack ; drew to a bob-tail flush ; fifty-cent ante. Van., Jr. A few of these letters need your personal attention. (Crosses to his father, giving him letters. Old Nick takes the letters, looking them over. Young Nick recrosses to his desk 4, sits and speaks half over his shoidder. ) Butler, at Omaha, writes that two more com- peting lines of railroad Van. {incidentally, as he is looking at letters). Tell him to buy them both. Van., Jr. The Legislature of Nevada Van. Buy that, too. Van., Jr. Tlie new Constitution of the State Van. Tell our agents to have it amended at once-=- same as Missouri. Van., Jr. Holliston has been nominated for Congress in Kansas. Shall we contribute to his election exj)enses i Van. No ; wait till he gets to Washington. (Looks at a letter.) " Poughkeepsie Bridge Bill — five votes short." (Turns in chair, looks over glasses to Young Nick.) Tele- graph to Holbrook at Albany. (Vanalstyne, Jr., makes notes.) " Buy six more country members, and charge to my account." (Looks at another letter.) Schauspii, tlie art dealer, lias a new painting by Meissonier. Write to him for me, Nick. Tell him I'll give him thirty dollars a square inch. There's six per cent, in Meissonier at tliat ; no sounder stock in the market. Van., Jr. (making a note). What's the subject of the painting ? Van. (looks at letter intently). Eighteen inches by twenty- four. Hello! Ha— ha— ha— lia ! (Looking at another letter.) Bill Jarvis lost his entire fortune in our twist on the Street last Friday. Ha— ha— ha ! Bill Jarvis is my dearest old schoolmate. Ha — ha— ha — ha ! Jarvis and I " THE HENRIETTA." 11 were brought up together. Ha-ha-ha ! We let him in for two hundred thousand dollars. Ha— ha— ha ! I was always getting jokes on Bill. We must give the old boy a chance to start again. Write to him that my bank ac- ' count is at his service, Nick. Ah! he'l make another fortune in a year, and-ha-ha— ha !-I'll get that, too ! (Enter Uvsqrayk l. c, going towards small desk; stops.) Oh Musgrave ! make a note for me. (Musgrave comes c withioriting-pad.) The widow of Robert W. Worth— ( Then to Vanalstyne, Jr.) How much did we make out of him on the last deal ? Van., Jr. About ninety thousand. Van. I see the poor devil died yesterday. We 11 make that good to his widow. ^ ^.^^^ Musgrave. Yes, sir ; I'll remind you of it. A tele- gram just come, sir. {Gives Vanalstyne a telegram aiid sits at desk up c, making a note.) . _ . ^ ^^^ ,^ , Van a cable from your sister Mary m London . {Reads.) " I am going to marry Lord Arthur Fitzroy Waldegrave Rawdon Trelawney." . , . - Van., Jr. Indeed! (Young Nick turns in chair in Van. ' How many men do you understand she's going to marry ? , , t Van., Jr. The usual number, I suppose. Van Ah ' All those names belong to the same man. Musgrave, cable. {Dictates.) - Miss Mary Vanalstyne Hotel Metropole, London :— Draw on me for whatever it costs vou." {Throtvs despatch on desk andis opening letter.) Who 2S Lord Arthur-continued in our next— Trelawney r" Van., Jr. {writing at desk, paying no attention). Fourth son of the Marquis of Dorchester. Van. Father's rich, isn't he? Van., Jr. I believe so. .t^w*„\ Van. {to Musgrave). Add to that cable. {Dictates.) " Tell the Marquis I can let him have a block of Northern Pacific Common at twenty-nine." Fll land the oljl man for all mv girl's wedding expenses. {Looks at letter.) From the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton; another subscription, I suppose. {Long pause.) By thunder ! Our pastor has dropped on the Henrietta Mine deal, and he wants to know if I can let him in. I thought he'd been more than usually anxious about my spiritual welfare lately. But how the deuce did he learn anything about tlie Heniietta Mine *-' We must let him in for a few thousands. It we don't, he'll give us away to the whole congregation ; and the leading pillars of our church are also P\"'i^s of the Stock Exchange. ( Turns half to Musgrave Write to the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton. (P'^*S^''-\^'}l,,^f^ you at Friday evening prayers." {Pause.) That 11 do, 12 " THE HENRIETTA." Miisgrave. (Turns to desk. Exit Musgrave to apart- ments L. c, closing door.) Vanalstyne, Jr. By the way, Governor, Mrs. Cor- nelia Opdyke Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke! I'm interested. (Rises goes to L. c. To Young Nick.) Vanalstyne, Jr. Interested ? Vanalstyne. Wliat about her? Vanalstyne, Jr. Her property lias been invested in government bonds ; and nearly the whole amount has been called m. Watson Flint & Co. are her agents, you know They asked me yesterday if I could suggest anything in 1 10 way of re-mvestment. She has about three hundred tliousand dollars. Vanalstyne. Tell Watson Flint I'll let her have the entire amount in Louisville and West Tennessee preferred at par. ^ Van., Jr. {turns sharply in chair). But that is your pet gUt-edged stock. It's a sure ten per cent, dividend Vanalstyne. The Reverend Dr. Murray Hilton is after the widow. Vanalstyne, Jr. What has that to do with Vanalstyne. Mydearson! {Puts his finger to his nose icmking at Vanalstyne, J^ , looks around ; goes, hums to Inmself an air. Punches Vanalstyne, Jr., in the ribs ) mothe/?^^^ ^"^ objection to a young and i3retty step- Vanalstyne, Jr. None in the least. Vanalstyne (goes c). I control that raih-oad absolutely and I ingoing to freeze out the parson. This is a little fiver on my own account. Let her have the stock. I am bu vinir 1" ^,?^'^."- . ^^l^ Reverend Dr. Murray Hilton thinks he's got the inside track by having the widow's soul in charge ; but if lean get control of her fortune, his chances of .secur- ing her person are not flattering. {Goes to desk r.) It may cost me a million dollars ; but I'll get that (smacks lips) widow. (Sits R. at desk.) ^ K^matLs .i7i'fi^':''^^^^' ^\ . ^^^^^' '^^y ^^^^^ i'ats her hands.) Bertie. What is it, Agnes, dear? Agnes. When I first ran into your room the other morning, to put the rosebuds on your table, I — I didn't intend to look at anything ; but I — I couldn't help just — just glancing around, you know. There was a whole row of pictures on your mantelpiece, and — and others all over the room. They were pictures of actresses— and — and dancers, Bertie, dear. ^ Bertie. Yes. We fellows at the club all have pictures like that in our rooms, and when we call to see each other 20 " THE HENRIETTA." we look at 'em, and then we wink at each other, and then each of us thinks that the other is a devil of a fellow — but he isn't. Agnes, There was one picture there — I didn't like her face at all— and it had her name on, in a lady's handwrit- ing — " Henrietta." Bertie. Henrietta is the most famous ballet-dancer in New York. All of us have her picture. We get them from the photographer for fifty cents apiece, but we have to pay her business manager five dollars apiece for her autograph. I suppose it's cheap enough, for no two of 'em are alike. Agnes (comes l. of chair) . Have you ever seen Hen- rietta off the stage ? Bertie. Often. Nearly every night, about eleven o'clock, half a dozen of us fellows walk out of the club one by one, and we meet at the stage-door of the theatre. We stand there in a row till Henrietta passes out and gets into her carriage. Then we all go back to the club and sit there. Agnes. I want you to send away all those pictures in ycnir room, Bertie, Henrietta's particularly. Bertie. I'll burn 'em all up ; Henrietta's particularly. Agnes {long pause ; she looks around cautiously, as if makiyig up her mind, then suddenly kisses him on top of his head) . Thank you. Bertie. Welcome. Agnes. Now, there's one thing more I want to speak about. I'm to be your wife, you know, and I can talk se- riously to you. Your father is very angry with you be- cause you won't give your attention to business. Bertie. I know he is. He left word for me last night to meet him in this room as soon as I got up. Father says tliat I don't know any more about business than a kitten. I don't. A kitten that isn't more familiar with business principles than I am would starve. Agnes. Business is very easy, Bertie. I can tell you all about it. You just speak through the teleplione to a man in Wall Street. You say " sixty-five " — or any other num- ber you choose — and a few weeks afterwards the man gives you a lot of money. Bertie. That does seem easy enough. (Enter Nicholas Vanalstyne, r. c, with bundles of bonds and written checks. Comes down R. c.) Vanalstyne. Oh ! — you are here. Bertie. Yes, father. (Rising. Stands at chair.) John said you wanted to see me this morning. ♦' THE HENRIETTA." 21 Vanalstyne. Yes, I do ; Agnes, my dear, I wish to speak with this young man alone. Agnes. Mayn't I stay, if you please, Mr. Vanalstyne? Vanalstyne. Certainly, if you like ; there's no secret about the matter. {Begins looking over' papers on desk, r.) Agnes. Bertie and I have been talking about business, sir. Vanalstyne. M — m. I dare say you could teach him a good deal more than he knows. Agnes. Bertie would like to go into business. {Ex- chayiging nods ivith Bertie. ) Bertie. Yes, sir. I have decided to go into business at once. Vanalstyne. Have you, young man ! {Turyiing toivards Bertie, with a folded paper in his hand. Comes to c.) I have struggled with you in vain, and I am tired. You are a hopeless idiot. (Agnes stores.) BERtiE. I cannot deny it, sir. Vanalstyne. The fact that many other fathers in New York have been blessed in a similar way is no consolation to me. Thank heaven ! I have one son who is an honor to our family and to my name. The colossal fortune which I have accumulated shall be my monument, sir. I shall leave him my entire property, without exception, and he will continue the vast business interest which I have ac- quired. As for you, sir, your monthly allowance ceases from this date. I have made an arrangementwith our busi- ness agents, Messrs. Watson Flint & Co., under which they will give you a certain amount in cash. You may do what you please with it ; but it ought to last long enough for you to establish yourself in a decent position where you can make your own living. Beyond this, sir, you shall have no part or parcel of my property either while 1 am living or after my death. Bertie. Father ! — I — (half choking) — I'm sure I'm — I'm — very grateful to you — for — for giving me anything ; and for — for — all you've given me before. (Dropping into chair, l.) Agnes, (ci^osses to c. hehhid Bertie ; turns to Nick, loith her hack to Bertie, i^emaining near his chair. Sud- denly). And I say that you are a wicked, hard-hearted old man. I love Bertie, whether you do or not, and I'm going to be his wife. (Turning to Bertie and putting her arms about his neck. ) Vanalstyne. You ! You are going to be his wife, Agnes ? Are you in earnest ? Agnes. Yes, indeed, I'm in earnest. I just this mo- ment told him I would. I've loved him for a long time, too; and I've been waiting for him to ask me. Bertie'll 22 " THE HENRIETTA." make a dear, good husband ; and I don't care whether he has any money or not. Vanalstyne. Well !— as you please, if you will insist on being a beggar's wife. (Advancing and extending draft ; stops and looks at it ; extends it to Bertie, icho starts to take it ; he draws it hack again, looks at Agnes, then at Bertie, as if undecided; looks again, offers it again; coughs. Agnes ivorks sloicly to l. of Bertie.) But if you are going to be married — I — suppose you'll need a little more. (Tears up the draft and returns to desk, R. ; sits ivriting another draft.) Agnes. Dear Bertie! Bbktie (holding her hand). Agnes. (Dr. Wainwright opens door from ajmrtment, stejiping in. Enter Rose Vanalstyne, up r. c. in bonnet, etc. She comes in with an anxious quick motion, looks around a second, then hurries to the Doctor, up l. c, speak- ing quickly in an undertone, apart.) Rose. Doctor ! My husband ! I was away. Tell me the worst. Wainwright. Be calm. There is no danger now ; he is sleeping quietly. Rose. Oh ! (She moves past him to door of apartment ; turns ; looks gratefidly at the Doctor. ) You liave saved his life. (She takes his hand in her oum to kiss it, he stops her, she looks up gratefidly and says "I tliank you, I thank you," then goes quietly into the apartment, looking ear- nestly before her. ) Wainwright (looks after her). His false and worthless life ! I have saved it, for her sake ; and I would liave given my own life gladly — for one loving glance from her eyes. (He turns up to ivindow, where he stands ivith his hack to the audience, looking ovt ; his hand on the curtain. Vanalstyne rises with the new draft ; crosses l.) Vanalstyne (gruffly, giving Bertie the draft). There you are ! sir. (Bertie looks up blankly at his father, and takes check mechanically, withovt looking at it, in his left hand and lets hand fall on his knee. Re-crosses to desk, R. , sits and takes up the inventory. ) D — d young pauper ! I'll turn him adrift on the world. Agnes (at back of Bertie's chair, her arms around his neck). We'll live in a little cottage together, Bertie. I'll do tlie work and you can help me. (Comes down l. of him.) And we won't need any money. Bertie. Yes. Vanalstyne (looking over inventory). Thirty-nine millions. '* THE HENRIETTA." 23 Bertie. We'll live like two canary birds and we'll have just about as much to eat. Vanalstyne. Fifty-five millions. (Bertie starts sud- denly to his feet looking at the draft.) Bertie. Agnes ! ( Turns to Agnes and points at check.) Five — hundred — thousand — dollars. {They turn towards Vanalstyne ?<;/io is intent on inventory.) Father ! Vanalstyne. Not a cent more — not one cent. [Turns savagely towards them and strikes desk heavily ivith right hand.) quick curtain. 2d picture. (Bertie goes behind Vanalstyne's chair a little to c. Agnes runs to Vanalstyne. Kneels on ottoman. Vanalstyne takes her face in his hands ayid kisses her. Bertie. Father ! Father ! Father. (Vanalstyne shakes his head at him gruffly and pays no attention to him.) CURTAIN, ACT 11. DRAWING-ROOM OF VANALSTYNE MANSION. LIGHT FANCY. 3 wings. 1 set door. 1 large arch. 1 large square opening. Conservator}' backing back of arch. 1 light fancy practical window. Street backing beliind window. Interior backing back of set door. Mirror beliind mantel. 20-incli platform in large arch 6x8. Steps from platform on to stage. Light fancy borders. Note. — Make this set as rich and as light and delicate as possible. DRAWING-ROOM FURNITURE. Old gold or rich blue drugget down. Large handsome rug. 6 white rugs. Handsome gilt or brass fire set, dogs, fender, etc. Light mantel. 2 handsome light clocks (alike). 2 pairs of vases (alike). 2 sets of handsome candelabra, for mirror effect, onyx and gold. 1 banner screen (gold frame, light). 2 pair of large rich curtains on gilt poles for doors. 2 gold pedestals. 4 large pieces of statuary (bisque or gilt or silver). Plenty of light rich bric-a-brac. 1 large gilt easel and picture. 1 large four foot lamp and shade (brass). 1 white and gold sofa. 2 light sofa-pillows, 24: ♦' THE HENRIETTA." 25 1 small light sofa (salmon), gold frame. 1 gold frame louiigiug-chair. 4 small gold chairs. 2 light gold corner chairs. 2 handsome ottomans (2 feet, light color). 1 handsome square gold table with vase or statuary on it. 4 small round gilt or brass tables. 1 rich gold cabinet. 8 large tropical plants in pots. Bundle of letters wrapped in white tissue paper, and tied with blue ribbon. Tablet and pencil for Lady Mary. 1 written letter, sealed, for Musgrave. 1 cigar for Old Nick. 1 cigar for Dr. Hilton. 1 letter for Mrs. Opdyke. 1 letter for Old Nick. 1 vase to break. Parlor on mantel L. for Old Nick. 1 bundle of burnt letters to hand on at end of act. Note, — The furniture and hangings for this scene must be rich and delicate in color. Avoid all reds, blues, dark- greens, blacks, etc. Everything must be light and of the richest and most expensive description. All furniture overstuffed and no dark frames. Use no bronzes or any- thing dark. All bric-a-brac light and delicate. GAS PLOT. DRAWING-ROOM OF VANALSTYNE MANSION. House, foots and borders full up. 8 or 10 light chandeliers down and lighted. Bunch lights R. and L. 2 E, Bunch light L. 3 E, Blue bunch back of window L. u. E. Gas log lighted L. 2 E. Blue strip light back of conservatory R. Statue lights on balustrade R., lighted. 6 colored globes for statue lights must be blue, yellow and pink and must be small and delicate in tint. 2C " THE HENRIETTA." CALCIUM PLOT. Open light blue medium behind window L. Open liglit green tin-ough conservatory R. Open blue beliind cut conservatory R, Red medium behind lireplace L. MUSIC CUES. Music pj) at cue for end of act and swell to ff when Bertie throws letters in the fire. Keep up strain ff for two or more pictures. " THE HENRIETTA." 27 ACT II. Drawing-room in Vanalstyne's residence. Conservatory up R. and R. c. , raised about two feet six inches, with opening and railing, and. with steps up at r. c. Recep- tion-room up L. Log-lighted. Sofa up c. , ivith two cushions. Cabinet r., urith bric-a-brac. Ottomans r. c. and L. c, front. Ornamental tables up r. c. and up l. c. Lamp lighted 07i cabinet and table L. c. Enter Watson Flint, as curtain rises, from reception- room up L. c. He is a man of about thirty, quick, firm and decisive in speech, gentlemanly in manner ; evening dress. Flint {looking back as he enters). Do not disturb them at table! I will wait, {Walks down. Enter Mvs- GRAVE down R. from conservatory; tvalks dozen r. c. YiA^T comes down c.) Ah, Musgrave ! The family are still at dinner, James tells me ! Musgrave. I presume the gentlemen have got to their cigars, sir, if you care to join them. Flint. No. But I wish to have a few moments' chat with Mr. Vanalstyne, Junior. You might look into the smoking-room. If he's at liberty, kindly tell him that I am here. {Goes to R. c.) Musgrave. Yes, sir. {Stai^ting across; stops.) Oh — Mr. Flint ; I — I wish to — to — I {Hesitating.) Flint. Well ? Musgrave. I was merely going to say that I — I — this Henrietta Mine operation — I — I hope it is — doing well, sir — and — and — I trust it is perfectly safe, sir. Flint {turns to Musgrave). Musgrave, I have never known you before to take the slightest personal interest in any operation your employer was engaged in. I trust you y haven't taken to thinking ; a private secretary who thinks is a dangerous man. Musgrave. Believe me, I have always made it a rule never to think. I was only expressing the hope that — Flint. Never allow yourself to liope, Musgrave. That is another excellent rule for men in your position. It is so difficult to hope without thinking. {Passi7ig r. and up to conservatory.) Musgrave {passing l.). You are quite right, sir. (Flint examines curios at cabinet. Musgrave stops up L. c. Aside.) I have allowed myself to hope a little. Fool ! I have yielded to temptation at last, after with- standing it so many years. Every dollar tliat I have saved is invested in this Henrietta Mine speculation, and I haven't slept a night since I took the risk. {At door l.) 28 '' THE HENRIETTA." Not one hour of my old comfortable sleep J Not one hour ! (Exit up L.) Flint {looks off after Musgrave, untli right foot on first step). The old private secretary has been siJeculat- Ing. My Uncle Vanalstyne ought to know about it, but he doesn't. That is his affair, not mine. I never allow anything to be an affair of mine that doesn't concern my own particular interest. It's an excellent rule. Tlie in- terests of Watson Flint & Co. are quite enough for any one man to look after ; and I have them in charge. (Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., wp l.) Vanalstyne, Jr. Anything new, cou.sin? (Comincf doiun l. ) Flint. I have something to say that will interest you. Vanalstyne, Jr. What is it? (Goes to mantel l.) Flint. The matter interests me also as the principal broker of your father and yourself. (Young Nick motions him to take chair, then sits on ottoman L. Taking chair up R. c. and moving down c, sits.) During the whole progress of this Henrietta Mining and Land Company op- eration there has been, as you know, a powerful enemy working in the dark and secretly obstructing the move- ments of your father at every point. Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes. Father has frequently said that he felt tlie hand of such an enemy, but he has found it quite impossible as yet to discover who it is. I'LINT. I have discovered liim. Vanalstyne, Jr. Indeed ! Who is it ? (Turns to Flint quietly.) Flint. Yourself. (Vanalstyne, Jr., starts. Flint umtclies him quietly.) Vanalstyne, Jr. May I ask houj you have come to such a remarkable conclusion ? Flint. You may. At a critical moment, about six weeks ago, you were struck insensible wliile directing me at the telephone. I was obliged to take matters into my own hands. From wha-t I then learned and knowledge that lias come to me since I have arrived at the exact truth. There was a sudden break in Keokuk and New Mexico on that day, but it was premature and would have exposed your plans. You are at the head of a powerful bear clique, bent on ruining your own father in this great Henrietta Mine scheme. With his own son as his secret enemy, even your father's enormous fortune may melt away. If the plot succeeds, you, not he, will be the Master of Wall Street. Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). The Master of Wall Street! (Aloud.) Well ! Business is business, cousin. Wliat are " THE HENRIETTA." 29 you going to charge me for this knowledge ? V/e will let you into the speculation. How much ? Flint {rises, with hand on back of chair). Pardon me. I never speculate under any circumstances whatever. I am simply a member of the New York Stock Exchange. 1 take my regular commission on all orders ; nothing more, nothing less — one-eighth of one per cent. Vanalstyne, Jr. I must pay you for your silence in solid cash. (Looks at him inquisitively and rises.) Flint. No. I have never yet done anything dishonor- able as a business man, and I never shall. Vanalstyne, Jr. Do you intend to inform my father? Flint. Certainly not. You are both my customers. It is quite immaterial to me whether you swindle each other or not. I shall continue to execute whatever orders either of you may give me at the usual commission — one-eighth of one per cent. Vanalstyne, Jr. You didn't mention this to me for nothing. Flint (jnds chair back to jilace, and comes down c). I have been intending to speak to you on another subject also this evening. Your wife's little sister, Agnes Vanalstyne, Jr. You are in love with her. Flint. Yes. Vanalstyne, Jr. And I am her guardian. (Crosses 2 to mantel. ) Flint. I once had hopes, as you know, that Agnes would consent to be my wife. But since your brother Bertie has returned from college Vanalstyne, Jr. They do seem to understand each oth- er, though I don't know that it's a regular engagement, yet. I see wliat you mean. You are too honorable a business man to accept money, or a share, for your silence, but you will force me to use my influence as Agnes' guardian and as the husband of her elder sister, in your favor. Flint. Not at all. But if you are still afraid that I will betray you to your father, after my sincere assurance that I will not— that is your affair, not mine. ( Goes R.) (Enter Rose up l., goes down c. and turns to Flint.) Rose. Watson, you should have come in time for dinner. Flint (boics to Rose). I only dropped in on business. Vanalstyne, Jr. Rose, my dear, we were just talking about Agnes. Flint. You know liow deeply interested I am in that subject. Rose. I am afraid, Watson— (shaking her head)— that I must give up the hopes I once had ; and you must give up your hopes, too. You know that you have been my 30 " THE HENRIETTA." 1 choice from the first. I am sure you would have made Agnes a good, true husband ; and I am very anxious for lier future. But the dear little girl's heart has found another mate. (Agnes runs in up l.) Agnes. Bertie! (He stops suddenly. Abashed.) Beg pardon. I — I thought Bertie was here. Good evening, Mr. Flint. (Agnes and Flint hoiv to each other.) Rose. Agnt^s, dear ! Show Watson the four new pictures tliat came to-day. Flint. I shall be delighted to go to the gallery with you. (Cr*os.ses to Agnes L. u. Rose crosses fo R. ) Agnes. Very well ; come. The prettiest is one by Meissonier. It's called "The Young Girl's Choice." (Go- ing out, up L. c; followed by Flint. Bows to Rose.) Rose (looks after him l. u.). I wish for Agnes' sake that - she had chosen your cousin Watson for her husband, in- stead of your brother Bertie. Bertie is kind and good- natured ; but he has got among such a fast set of young men. Vanalstyne, Jr. I've had some misgivings on that ground, myself, Rose. (Crosses to L. c.) Bertie is a little wild. (Enter Dr. Parke Wainwright up l.) Rose (turns and sees Dr. Wainwright). Dr. Wain- wright. Wainwright. Mrs. Vanalstyne ! (Stopping up c. and bowing to Rose and Vanalstyne, Jr.) I owe you an apology for not keeping my engagement. Vanalstyne, Jr. There was an empty chair for you at the table. Rose. Professional duties, I suppose. Wainwright. Yes ; a very urgent case. (Comes doum c.) Rose. A physician's time is never his own. By the way. Doctor, how is the poor sick woman that wrote to me— Gertrude Reynolds, I think her name was. (YoUNG Nick starts, exchanges quick glance ivith Doctor. The7i to Vanalstyne, Jr.) She wrote, asking me to call upon her. She did not say why, though she is not in want, and we are perfect strangers. Dr. Wainwright insisted that I should not go to see her ; he said it might be dangerous to the rest of our family. How is she to-day ? Wainwright. It was her case that kept me away. She died— (glancing at Vanalstyne, Jr.)— about an hour ago. Rose. Poor woman ! I wisli I had seen her — in spite of your prohibition, Doctor. ( Turning iq) stage r.) Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). That danger is past. (Turn- ing to mantel and looking into the fire.) Poor girl ! She did love me. THE HENRIETTA." 31 (Enter Musgrave itp l. with a note and a 'packet. Comes to c.) Musgrave. Mrs. Vanalstyne, a woman just called. (Rose comes down r. t. with this packet and a letter. Hands packet and letter to Rose.) She said there was no answer, but a dying woman had made her promise to bring them. I assured her that I would give them to you personally. She lias gone. Rose. They are for me ? Musgrave. Yes, madam. {Orosses and emits r. door. Wainwright and Vanalstyne, Jr., turn and watch her.) Rose. A dying woman! (Goes njj stage and lays the packet on the table r. and breaks the envelojjc of the letter, moving down R. c. Vanalstyne, Jr., and Wain- wright watch her intently as .she takes out the letter. She turns a page reading signature.) "Gertrude Reynolds." (Wainwright crosses up stage to the table r. c, takes up the packet and places it in his breast-pocket. Vanal- styne, Jr. , is still ivatching Rose intently but quietly. She reads ; staggering back as she does sj, under emotion and in confusion ; glances at Vanalstyne, Jr., a^id at the letter ; then suddenly turns up stage to table.) The packet ! Dr. Wainwright ! — that was lying on this table ; you have it ; give it to me. Wainwright (quietly) . Will you let me read that letter ? Rose. Yes (Giving it to him. Both come doivn room R. c. Doctor c. above Rose. Nick remains l.) You know the whole truth, whatever it may be. Wainwright {having glanced through the letter). Will you allow me to read this aloud ? (Looks at Nick intently. ) Your husband should know its contents as well as you. Rose. Yes ; he should. (Her gla^ice fixed on Vanal- styne, Jr. ,who stands at mantel, immovable and impassive. ) Wainwright (aside). No name is mentioned ; we may save her poor heart yet. He must think while I read. (Aloud, reading.) "I have had bitter and wicked thoughts ; but they have all passed away in the shadows of approaching death. I think now only of my child, not of revenge on him, but he must be sacrificed for her, I know how good you are ; Dr. Wainwright has told me ; and he has tried to save you from tliis. But a dying mother appeals to you. It is my last desperate chance. Do all you can for my little one. The doctor will tell you where she is. The letters to me from her father, wliich I send with this, will tell you the rest. You know the hand- writing well. Gertrude Reynolds." Rose. The packet of letters ! [Starts towards Doctor quickly. He makes a motion as if to give her the packet.) 32 " THE HENRIETTA." Van., Jr. (turns and speaks quickly). Will you kindly leave Rose and me together a few moments, Doctor? WainWright. It is your right to have the letters, madam. They were sent to you. If you insist upon it, after an interview with your husband, I will give them to you. {Exit up L. Rose drops upon the ottoman, r. c, her face in her hands, sobbing aloiid.) Van., Jr. {crosses to c. Looks around room, then at Rose). Rose, I need hardly say that I am sorry this expo- sure has come at last. I would have concealed it from you entirely, but I may as well speak frankly to you now. I have known of this affair from the first. (Rose looks up suddenly.) You are quite right. It will be better for Agnes' future for her to marry Watson Flint, instead of {turning fidl face to audience) my brother Bertie. Rose. Bertie V Van. , Jr. I ought to have told you about it long ago, when Agnes was first becoming interested in him. But you'll forgive me, my dear old girl {moving toward her, extending arms) , won't you ? Rose. Forgive you ! {Sp>ringing up and falling into his arms, crying.) Forgive j^ou ! Van., Jr. One doesn't like to stand in the way of his own brother's happiness, you know. But I should have told you, for your sister's sake. Come, come; don't cry; don't cry. {Pats her on the back consolingly.) Rose. I — I'm not crying, dear ; I — I'm laughing. I don't know which I'm doing. {Buries her head on his shoulder. ) Van. , Jr. You do forgive me ? Rose. Forgive you ? It's you that must forgive me. {Breaks away slightly.) I — I thought — no — I won't speak it — my darling ! {Resumes position in his ar^ms.) I am so happy ! so happy ! But I haven't any right to be. It is very selfish of me. {Turns away again.) Poor Agnes! Oh, my darling! {Rushing into his arms, conclusively. Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke, up l. c. Laughs outside.) I am so happy ! so happy ! (Van., Jr., kisses her.) Cornelia. Oh! {Stoijping up c.) I beg your pardon. (Starts to go to conservatory. Rose starts R. Young Nick L. Cornelia comes down c. a little. ) Rose. Cornelia! (Starting ujd.) Ha — ha — ha — ha — lia ! You've caught us. I— I didn't intend to run away from you for so long a time. Oh, my dear Cornelia ! (Going to her, up r. c.) I've never felt so happy in all my life — I — I mean I'm miserable. I must go to my room for a moment. (Going l., laughs.) Ha— ha— ha — ha (Drops her face into her hands, crying. Exit up L. Laugh- ing and crying hysterically until well off.) Cornelia (looks off after her, then turns full to Nick " THE HENRIETTA." 33 ivho stands ivith hack to audience). What a scandal in New York society ! I saw your wife in your arms. But ^ »you can trust me perfectly. I won't tell anybody. I'll tell 'em it was somebody else's wife. Van., Jr. Will you pardon me for leaving you alone, Mrs. Opdyke? (Crosses to c. and stops. Bows to Cor- nelia.) Rose is very nervous to-night. Cornelia. Certainly ! Everybody knows how devoted you are to her — and other ladies. (Goes doivn r. a7id bows sarcastically. ) Van., Jr. (aside. Looks at her angrily and goes up L. c). I'd better be with her for a while. She may need my ad- vice — about my brother and Agnes. (Bows to Cornelia. Exit up L. ) Cornelia (goes up l. c, looks ojf after Yov^g Nick, then comes doivn c). What right has a man like tliat to kiss his wife? When 7ny husband was alive, and he asked me for a kiss, I told him I didn't want him to be untrue to the rest. Heigho ! (Sighing and looking doivn.) There are plenty of pretty women with him now. (Goes r. c, laughing heartily. ) (Enter Nicholas Vanalstyne up l. , hurriedly. Sees Cor- nelia and stops.) Vanalstyne (aside) . The widow is alone. Cornelia (doivn r. , seeing him). The gentlemen have finished their cigars. Vanalstyne (comes down l. c). The Reverend Dr. Hilton is still smoking with the young men. I gave him the biggest cigar in the house. It'll take him half an hour to smoke it. I took the smallest. (Aside.) Twist on the parson ! Cornelia. Do you never smoke in the drawing-room ? (Crosses to him, c.) Vanalstyne. Oh, yes ; I'm a widower. But I was afraid that you might (Bows to her. ) Cornelia. I like it exceedingly. Vanalstyne. Oh, thank you ! Then 111 light a big one. (Goes to mantel, takes match from match-safe ; attempts to scratch it on mantel ; it ivill not light ; steals a glance at Cornelia, then covertly scratches it on his trousers, and lights cigar, and puffs violently. Aside.) Another twist on the parson. I get my smoke and the widow, too. (Turns his back to fire.) Cornelia (comes l. and sits on ottoman). Mr. Vanal- styne, I feel that I ought to thank you, as well as my dear old friend Rose, for her kind invitation to visit here a few weeks, while my own house is undergoing repairs. Vanalstyne. Don't mention it. I gave her no rest till she — I would say — I was delighted when she told rae she'd 3 34: " THE HENRIETTA." invited you. I trust there's a lot to do to your house — that is — I hope you won't have much trouble. Cornelia. About two weeks' work, the contractor tells me. Vanalstyne (aside). I'll bribe him to make it ten. Her house is next door to the parsonage. Cornelia. I have settled down here already, as com- fortable as if this were my own home. Vanalstyne. It is, madam ! I mean — it ought to be ; it must be — by Jove, madam, it shall be ! Cornelia (retiring before him, r., he following her). Sir! Vanalstyne (still approaching her). Sell your own house ! Rent it ! Burn it ! Blow it up ! (Enter Hilton, l. Comes dow7i between Old Nick and Cornelia.) Hilton. A— h— e— m ! Vanalstyne (sees Hilton. Aside). I'd like to blow him up — witli dynamite. (Returning, L. Aloud.) Have you finished that cigar already ? Hilton. It occurred to me, that if Mrs. Opdyke had no objection, I might venture to finish it here. Vanalstyne. She hates it. (Notices his own cigar, and tosses it into fire.) Cornelia. I just told Mr. Vanalstyne that I enjoy it. Hilton. Then I'll retain my cigar. (Old Nick starts and looks in fire as if to recover his cigar. ) Van. Twist on Me! (Steps away from fire, and puts both hands in his pockets.) Hilton. All the ladies of my congregation know that I am fond of smoking. Dear creatures ! My study is quite a museum of embroidered slippers and smoking caps. Kind, charitable souls ! They are devoted to me — I mean — to the church. You must visit my study some day, Mrs. Opdyke. (Turns to Cornelia.) Van, (aside). Not after she becomes Mrs. Vanalstyne. Hilton. But perhaps you will walk into the conserva- tory with me, Mrs. Opdyke. I can smoke tliere with a clearer conscience ; and I should be glad to discuss the subject which we mentioned at dinner. You remarked (crosses to her) that you were deeplj'^ impressed with my sermon ^n the duty of distributing one's earthly posses- sions among the poor. Van, (trying to attract his attention). Do you want me to buy some more of that stock for you, Hilton ? Hilton, Eli ? Oh ! Pardon me one moment. (Bows to Cornelia and crosses to Old Nick, l.) Van. (aside). I suppose he's buying stock to distribute " THE HENRIETTA." 35 among the poor. (Cornelia goes up r. and looks in conservatory.) Hilton (opar^ fo Van alstyne). We were interrupted in the smoking-room. You received a note from me this afternoon about the Henrietta speculation ? Van. (feels for letter on outside of coat pocket). No — 3'es ; the servant handed me a letter from you just before I went in to dinner. I haven't read it yet. Hilton. It was delayed. Do you think you could place say ten thousand dollars more for me, to advantage ? Van. Oh, yes ! I can place it — to advantage. (Aside.) In my own bank account, if he doesn't drop the widow. Hilton. You are very kind. We'll talk about it later in the evening-. (Cornelia cowes doicn r. Then to Cor- nelia, retmming r.) My remarks in the sermon (Nick falls suddenly on ottoman) on the universal struggle in America for mere worldly fortune — especially the growing tendency in New York tov^ards speculative gambling — impressed you particularly, you told me. Cornelia. Your sermons bring tears to the eyes of every woman in the congregation. (They go up r. to con- servatory. ) Van. (aside). That's all he writes 'em for. They bring tears to my eyes. They cost us two hundred dollars apiece. (Rises.) Cornelia. Alit (Suddenly up r. c.) Just a moment, please. (She 7'uns doivn across L. Hilton stands at cab- inet R., looking at a vase. Cornelia speaks #0 Vanalstyne apart.) I want to ask you about something, Mr. Vanal- styne — something very odd. Do you know anything of a — a woman named " Henrietta"? Van. "Henrietta"? (Looking at her keenly; then aside. ) She's after a pointer on the Henrietta Mine deal. (Aloud.) No, I don't know any woman of that name. Cornelia. Oh, I thought you might. That's all. (Cor- nelia says, " That's all." Old Nick repeats, " That's all." Exchange glances between them, h.alf laughingly. Turns back, stops c, and looks from Hilton to Vanalstyne. TJien aside.) I liappen to be aware that they both know a young woman of that name. (Aloud.) Come, Doctor. (Starts to go up r. to conservatory.) We will discuss the beauties of Henrietta (At the conservatory steps Hilton looks around sharply, dropping the vase, which is broken. Looks aghast at what he lias done.) I mean — of Christian charity — in the conservatory. (She goes up the steps R. c. to conservatory , disappearing ; laughing heartily. Hilton folloivs her ; he stops at the top, looking back at Vanalstyne. The latter ivalks up across r.) Van. She's dropped on the Henrietta Mine business. (At foot of conservatory steps with Hilton.) If we don't 36 *' THE HENRIETTA." put a stop to that, all the women in New York will know about it, and the whole operation will be a failure. We must get her off the track some way. Meet me in my pri- vate office. Hilton. I will leave the widow in about ten minutes— D. V. (ExUr.) Ya^. {hands in his 2)ockets). He'd better— D. Q. (Look- ing at his watch.) It'll be a serious tiling if a woman gets hold of this big deal. Whenever Mary's mother reads one of my business letters, I lose a railroad or two the next week. (Comes doimic.) She lifted forty thousand dol- lars out of me herself once, on a pointer she found in my pocket, wliile I was asleep. When I got the screws on old Van Brunt, for three million dollars, it was because he sent his broker's wife an order for stocks, and her husband a love-letter ; he got 'em mixed. I'll read Hilton's letter to me now. (Taking letter from j^ocket and opening it.) He wants to go in deeper. (Reads. ) "My dear Cornelia. " bli ? (Looking at envelope. Holds letter in one hand and envelope m other.) "Nicholas Vanalstyne, Esq." They don't match. (Sits on hassock l.) By thunder ! lie must have sent Mrs. Opdyke the letter about tlie Henrietta Mine. " My dear Cornelia." If he's got far enough along to address her that way, it looks rather blue for me. (Beads.) " My dear Cornelia— If this term, in addressing you, is more warmly affectionate than our short acquaint- ance would seem to justify, remember that I am your pastor." Now, let me see t Mrs. Opdyke has received liis letter to me about Henrietta, and after reading it she thinks Henrietta is a woman. Hilton and I will agree on a story fitting that state of things, and I'll get him to tell 11. (Rises, goes to c.) I don't think I'd better let him know that she has read his letter ; it might embarrass him. 1 11 tell him I mislaid it, and ask him what lie wrote to me. I wonder if he said anything that would make it awkward for him, if Henrietta ivere a woman ? If lie did —so mucli the worse for the parson— and so much the better for me. (Walking up c. ; he looks out.) There comes Mary, with my new son-in-law ; just arrived to-day. How the devil that girl picked up that little Englisli lord —all by herself, without a mother— is a mystery to me. (Moving dmon n.) Bertie is delighted. He can take him to the club, and set him up among liis fellow Anglo- maniacs. He's the original article. (Starts to go off (Enter Lady Mary, l. u.) hADY Mary (Mary sa7j.s) . Papa, dear! Here's Lord Arthur. ( M hich stojjs Vanalstyne ; coines back r. c.) *' THE HENRIETTA." 37 {Enter Lord Arthur Trelawney, up l. c. The latter walks down L. He is a little fellotv, exquisitely dressed, ivith a single glass and hair parted in the middle. When Lord Arthur is ivell down.) Vanalstyne (aside). I wonder if Mary smuggled that in or paid duty on it ! Lady Mary. Papa, dear ! Lord Arthur was just ask- ing me wliether all the people in America are rich, or only some of them. Vanalstyne. There are occasional exceptions. Lady Mary. I have been in Europe so long myself, I really can't tell Lord Arthur anything about America, you know. Vanalstyne. Oli, that girl's ears are longer than her memory. (Walks l. He stojjs abruptly before Lord Arthur, l. c, looking him up and down. Lord Arthur pa.s.ses r. Vanalstyne ivatches him, then tarns l., speaking aside.) I'll be stepping on that some day. Lady Mary. Oh, papa, dear ! (Comes doivn to Vanal- styne, L.) I want to get your advice. You gave me fifty thousand dollars for my wedding present, you know ; you cabled it with your blessing the day Lord Arthur and I were married. What would you advise me to put it into? Is anything booming just now? How's the market? — bullish or bearish ? Any chance to get a twist on the shorts? I don't want to salt it down, you know. I'd like to take a flyer on one of the fancy stocks. Can you give me a pointer ? (Note tablet and pencil, looking at Vanal- styne out of the corner of her eyes. Vanalstyne looks at her qnizzingly.) Vanalstyne (aside). There's nothing European about that. She's her mother's own girl, after all. (Aloud.) Buy Salt Lake City and Denver — ten days — at forty-six. Lady Mary (making note on tablet). Thank you, papa. (Looks up.) Straight tip, governor? No larks, you know. Vanalstyne. Oh! — honor bright. (Aside.) It's worth thirty-six. I'll have Watson Flint sell it to her on my ac- count, and I'll get back that wedding present. Lady Mary. Some one has ruined one of my lovely vases tliat I brought from England. (Running to cabijiet and picking up the pieces. ) Vanalstyne (looking at his watch). Hilton's ten minutes for refreshments are up. (He crosses R., stops abruptly before Lord Arthur, r. c, looks him up and down. Lord Arthur passes l. Vanalstyne looks at him over his shoidder, then turns to door. Aside.) I wish Mary wouldn't let that run around on the carpet. (Exit down R. ) Lord Arthur. Mary, my dear ! 38 " THE HENRIETTA." Lady Mary. Lord Arthur ! {Crossing to Mm L.) Lord Arthur. Are all the girls' fathers in America like that one ? Lady Mary. I wish they were all such dear, good, kind fathers as he is. Lord Arthur. Yes, he is very kind, only he's such a queer old chap. It's been the same way ever since I ar- rived. We've been passing each other every now and then all day, and I seem to take him by surprise every time. Lady Mary {laughing merrily). Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! You must remember that papa isn't accustomed to the British aristocracy yet. {Going to him. Throivs her arms around his neck.) My own dear, sweet little English lord ! I was astonished, too, when I first met you. But I love you now, darling, and so will papa ; he's just as fond of pets as I am. But I want to talk to Alice a little. {Places hands on his shoulders and forces him gently on ottoman L. Places hands on each cheek and turns him to- tvards fire L.) Sit down, Artie dear, and look into the fire until I get back. {Enter Bertie, l. u.) Bertie. Tell Agnes I am here, please, Mary. Lady Mary. I'll bring her back with me. {Exit up L. Lord Arthur sits l. c, looking into the fire. Bertie walks doivn L. c, looking at him with interest.) Bertie. I am the brother-in-law of a real English lord. {Aside.) I will keep him six weeks before I take him to tlie club. I will study him carefully, and I will astonish ail the other fellows. ' {Sits on ottoman R.) We aren't like the real thing a bit. {Aloud.) Brother-in-law ! (Lord Arthur turns front quietly and looks at him. Bertie looks at him a moment in silence. He looks at Lord Ar- thur, who still has his glass fixed on him, u'ithout the slightest movement of a finger or a foot. Bertie looks at him and then away two or three times. Aside.) If I don't think of sometliing else to say pretty soon this will become embarrassing. {Finally, aloud.) Do you like America ? Lord Arthur. Yes. {He stilllooks at Bkrtie without a movement. Bertie looks at him a moment, then away.) Bertie {aside). That's one thing we haven't got yet ; we can't keep on looking at another fellow as if we didn't see anything in particular. I will practise that before a cigar-store Indian. {Looks again at Lord Arthur, whose glass is still levelled at him.) I feel as if I were sitting for "my photograph. {Aloud.) Brother-in-law, did you think Fifth Avenue was pretty as you drove up in the carriage? Lord Arthur. I didn't look out of the window. ♦* THE HENRIETTA." 39 Bertie (aside). *He must have been looking at some- thing. {His face suddenly lights up. Aloud.) How did you like the cushion on the front seat of the carriage ? Lord Arthur. Beautiful, Bertie. Awfully, isn't it? (A.nde.) I've been wait- ing all day to hear how he says " awfully," and he hasn't said it once. (Aloud.) Brother-in-law, I would like to ask you, don't cher know Lord Arthur. Beg your pardon ; that's an American word. I suppose. Bertie (aside). I wonder what sort of an Englishman we've all been copying after anyway. If I shouldn't say " awfully " or " don't cher know " in the club for two days it would excite comment. If we drop both those expres- sions, we shall have nothing left but the eye-glass.. (Glances at Lord Arthur, who has not removed his gaze for a moment.) He does wear an eye-glass. (Aloud.) Are you near-sighted ? Lord Arthur. No ; what gave you that idea ? Bertie (swinging his own glass). Nothing. Lord Arthur. Are you ? Bertie. Only when I've got my glass in my eye. • Lord Arthur. Perhaps it isn't perfectly flat. (Laughs.) Bertie. I dare say it isn't quite accurate. (He jmts his glass in his eye : it drops. He glances at Lord Arthur and tries several times to keep the glass in; then aside.) If I could wear a glass as he does I should paralyze New York. (Aloud.) Were you born so ? Lord Arthur. I suppose so. Bertie. Blood will tell. (Rising, crosses to left, and sits on ottoman unth Lord Arthur. Lord Arthur turns and looks into the fire again.) My sister Mary — I would say Lady Mary;— she always was a lady ; but we never before thought it necessary to call special attention to the fact every time we spoke of her ; Lady Mary said this af- ternoon that you would tell me about your English clothes. Lord Arthur. My valet will show them to you. He knows how they go on. I don't. Bertie. We fellows at the club all have our clothes made in London. (Adjusts Lord Arthur's trousers, then looks at them, and then at his own.) Only we don't know when to wear the different kinds after they get to New York. Lord Arthur. My valet always puts the right ones on me. Bertie. Your valet seems to be a remarkably gentle- manly man for his position. Lord Arthur. He tries to imitate us. Bertie (aside). That's it ! I've got it ! (Rises quickly.) He's the fellow we've been imitating. (Walks up r.) 40 "THE HENRIETTA." Lord Arthur. You were speaking at dinner (turning front) of some races at St. Jerome Park. Bertie. Would you like to go with me to-morrow ? ( Walking down to near Lord Arthur, c. ) The favorite at our cluh is a young mare from Kentucky named " Henrietta." Lord Arthur. I can't, my dear boy, I haven't enough money with me. My father Bertie. The Marquis. Lord Arthur. He said he'd send me some more as soon as his bank account was all right. But he bought some railway shares from your father, about six weeks ago ; and he lost a hundred thousand pounds on them. Bertie. Oh, that's all right. I've got it in viy bank account. Father gave me exactly that amount about the same time. I believe that's what New York business men call "Foreign Exchange." I will put any amount you wish at your disposal. Then we will join our forces and lay our money on the favorite. {Enter Lady Mary and Agnes np l. Tliey stop up R. c. looking at gentlemen.) We'll drive out to Jerome Park, to-morrow, in my new English dog-cart ; I haven't any dogs, but I drive out my other friends in it. We'll go the races together, and we will take Henrietta between us. {The two ladies start with a scream. Bertie turns toward them. Lord Arthur turns and looks quietly into the fire again.) Lady Mary. Take Henrietta between them ! Agnes. Oh, Bertie ! ( Walking doivn r. and covering her face with both hands.) Bertie. Agnes, dear ! {Approaching her.) Lady Mary (draiving up to her full height). Lord Arthur Fitzroy Waldegrave Rawdon Trelavvney ! Lord Arthur. My full name. Lady Mary is serious. (He rises and walks up toivards her; she points out L. with .'item dignity. He turns and walks straight out, up L. c. She folloivs him out with an imperious air. ) Bertie. What is it, Agnes dear ? Agnes {crying). That horrid woman. Bertie. Woman ! Agnes. Henrietta ! You promised me you'd burn her photograph and have nothing to do with her, and now you're going to take her to the races with you. Bertie. Take her to the Oh— I see. This is another Henrietta. Agnes. Are there two? {Turns quickly.) Bertie. This one is a chestnut filly from Kentucky. Agnes. Bertie ! Look me straight in the face. How can you and Lord Artlmr go in that little dog-cart of yours and take a chestnut filly from Kentucky between you? " THE HENRIETTA." 41 Bertie. We aren't. We are botli going to bet on Hen- rietta, and divide what we win — or otherwise. Agnes. Oh — Bertie ! {Resting her head on his breast with her back to audience.) Forgive me ! Bertie. I hope Lord Arthur will be able to explain the situation before Lady Mary divests him of any portion of his English wardrobe and chastises him. {Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke in conservatory, up r. She looks over railing.) Cornelia. Bertie ! You're just the one I wanted to see. {Cqjning dowji steps.) I've been dying of curiosity for the last three hours, {running down R. c.) and the result will certainly be fatal if I don't get relief soon. Do you know anything about a woman named " Henrietta" ? Agnes. There's a chestnut filly called Henrietta ; she's going to race at Jerome Park to-morrow. Cornelia. A chestnut filly ! ( Takes a letter from her bosom, looks at it ; then aside.) The Rev. Dr. Murray Hil- ton has been betting on a horse race. {Aloud.) You don't know of any other female of that name ? Bertie. There is a ballet dancer named Henrietta. (Cornelia suddenly opens the letter again and stares at it.) Come, Agnes dear. {Stai'ts to go up to conservatory slowly.) We wall go into the conservatory and talk about something else. We haven't told each other how much we love each other since early this afternoon. {They go up the steps into conservatory, disappearing in the shrub- bery. ) Cornelia. The more I read this letter the more be- wildered I am. I would like another chat with you about Henrietta. {Drops on the ottoman, R. c still intent on the letter. Enter the Rev. Dr. Murray Hjl.tos doivn r., fol- lowed by Nicholas Vanalstyne. Cornelia holds the letter in her right hand, which has fallen at her side. Hil- ton crosses to mantel L.) Now, "is it the chestnut filly or the ballet-dancer ? Vanalstyne {aside, r.). That's his letter to me about Henrietta in her hand now. {Stops trying to read the letter, and at a slight sign from him, Cornelia turns and sees him ; looks surprised. Nick bows nervously and goes to c, turns up c. Aloud.) I think you'd better tell Mrs. Opdyke about the matter we have been discussing, Hilton. Perhaps she can give you some good advice. Cornelia. If I can be of any service, I shall be very glad. Vanalstyne. If he knew that was his letter, he'd see me further first. {Pays great attention to following scene.) Hilton. We have been — ah — consulting on the case of a — young woman — ah — named " Henrietta." 42 " THE HENRIETTA." Cornelia (aside) . It isn't the filly. (Reads from letter, Still aside.) Vanalstyne (aside). She's following every word he says with that letter. Hilton (leaning on mantel). I forget her last name, but she is known to the general public as the — '• The Witch of Wall Street." Cornelia. Oh ! I have heard of her. Hilton. I — I regret to say, tliat — ah — Henrietta is a — very beautiful young woman. (Vanalstyne brings his hand to his month trying to suppress his laughter.) ^i\i\ she is — ah — particularly fascinating to — ah — to members of my own sex. (Vanalstyne flops to one side and buries his face in the sofa-cushion). I am grieved to add, madam, that I have every reason to tliink that several members of my congregation have become interested in this woman. (Vanalstyne flops over to the other side and buries his head in the other cushion. ) Cornelia (reading aside). " I am deeply interested in that direction, you know." Hilton. My dear friend, Mr. Vanalstyne. (Vanal- styne sudden??/ s^'^s up), trying to pidl himself together and look serious.) He — ha — he is the senior member of my vestry, and I have been discussing the subject with him. The woman's ostensible occupation is to give financial advice to gentlemen speculating in Wall Street ; her os- tensible occupation. You can understand my anxiety, as shepherd of a flock, which is largely composed of Wall Street lambs. Cornelia (reading aside). "I trust that Henrietta is still booming." Hilton. This woman's character is such that no gentle- man can have the most distant association with her, with- out justly forfeiting the respect of his friends. (Vanal- styne ^itrnp*' around and smothers his face in the centre of the sofa ; seizing both cushions and bringing them to each side of his face ; his heels describe circles in the air alter- nately. Mrs. Opdyke and Hilton see him. Cornelia starts up. Both stare at him, and move up R. and l. They approach nearer. Vanalstyne continues his struggles. Tlie others look alarmed.) Cornelia. My dear Mr. Vanalstyne. (Vanalstyne springs up and turns front, looking from one to the other, his face flushed and nearly choking. He finally bursts into laughter, coming down and dropping upon the ottoman, L. c.) Vanalstyne. Ha — ha — ha— ha— ha. The — the parson has — l)a — lia — ha — lia — landed himself — ha — ha — ha — high and dry with the widow — ha — ha — ha — ha — out of my way ! Ha— ha— ha — ha — ha ! " THE HENRIETTA." 43 Hilton. I do not understand the cause of your mirth. Cornelia. Perhaps this will help you to understand it, Mr. Hilton. {Holding up the lettei'.) Your letter, in- tended for Mr. Vanalstyne, sent to me by mistake. {Walks doivn R.) "I trust that Henrietta is still booming." (Vanalstyne sJioutsivith laughter.) Hilton {^recovering from his astonishment and moving down to Vanalstyne, c). I will explain it all to her. {Starts to go to Cornelia, c. Vanalstyne stops him sud- denly. Suddenly serious. Apart.) If you do, you'll lose every dollar you've put in. {Cr'osses to R.) Cornelia. But the postscript ? Vanalstyne. Postscript ! Cornelia. The postscript interests me even more than the letter itself. {Crosses to c.) Vanalstyne {rising suddenly). Postscript! {To Hil- ton.) You didn't tell me about any postscript. Cornelia {reading). " I give you my entire confidence in this matter, my dear brother Vanalstyne, for I know that you are more deeply interested in Henrietta than any- body else." (KiUTO-i^i walks lip c, complacently. Vanal- styne catches his breath, then turns up stage to go after Hilton, loho has reached the door, l. Vanalstyne stops him. ) Hilton. If you explain it to her, you will lose every dollar you've put in. {Walks out L., icith stately dignity. Vanalstyne moves doum, glances at Mrs. Opdy^ke, goes to door, R., looks to Cornelia, turns to speak, she laughs, he bows aickwardly, looks at her again, she still continues laughing, he ivith a forced laugh. ) Vanalstyne. Down on both alleys ! {E.vit doum r. Cornelia bursts into hearty laughter, and moves tip stage. ) Cornelia. HaMia — ha— ha ! {Looking l.) Mary, Ag- nes — girls ! {Beckoning.) Such fun ! Ha — ha — ha — ha^ ha ! {Enter Mary up l. ; Agnes runs in, in conservatory, up R., moving down c, still laughing, Mary on her L. ; Agnes rmis down the steps, R.) I have found out all about Henrietta. Lady Mary. She's the favorite for the races to-morrow. Cornelia. No ! Ha— ha— ha— ha ! She's neither a chestnut filly nor a ballet-dancer. Ha — ha — ha — ha — ha ! The Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton has just told me all about her, in the presence of Mr. Nicholas Vanalstyne, and they know Henrietta is a beautiful young woman, known as the Witch of Wall Street. Agnes. Witch ! Lady Mary. Young woman. Cornelia. Her character is spotless — all black with- 44: " THE HENRIETTA." out a white spot on it. All the lambs of Dr. Hilton's flock are in love with her, and one, at least, that liasn't been a lamb in a great many years, not to mention the sliepherd himself. Ha — ha — ha — ha ! (Cornelia ntns iip stage into conservatory and disax)pears among the shrubbery iqj R. ; still continues laughing until it dies aicay in the distance. A slight pause before speaking. Bertie api^ears in con- servatory, looking back at Mrs. Opdyke. ) Agnes. Mary ! Lady Mary {drawing up to her fidl height). Lord Artlmr Fitzroy Waldegrave Rawdon Trelawney has de- ceived me. {She tcalks up with great dignity, stops upL,., looking out.) He is coming tliis way. {She pauses a moment, looking sternly out L., then j^oints majestically away as if to a person apj^roaching, and goes out up L. Agnes stands r. c. , choking .slightly and touching her eyes with her handkerchief. ) Agnes. There — there must be some mistake — some- wliere. I — I am sure Bertie wouldn't tell me a story about it. Bertie. "What's the matter, Agnes? {Walks dotvn the steps.) Are you sobbing? Agnes. Not exactly ; almost. {A slight sob.) Bertie {at her side). But why, Agnes, dear? Agnes. There — there are so many different kinds of Henrietta. Bertie. Have you found another one ? {Enter Rosk from L. ; she stops c. up stage.) Agnes. Yes ! Rose. Agnes. BEtTiE. Rose. {Crosses L. ; Agnes goes to Rose, l.) Rose. I was looking for you. Go to your room, my child. I have something to say to him {turns coldly to Bertie) that is not right for you to hear. Agnes {looking at Rose, and realizing it is something painful). No, there is nothing you can say to him that I Jiave not the riglit to hear. Rose. Perhaps it may be better that you should hear. Bertie, you and my sister are engaged to be married. Bertie, Yes. (Douin l. corner, sits on ottoman, L.) Rose. That engagement must be broken off. Bertie and Agnes {together). Broken— off! {Quickly rises and turns to Rose.) Rose. At once Bertie. But Rose. I insist upon it. A(iNES. Rose ! Rose. I always knew that you were a fool, Bertie. " THE HENRIETTA." 45 Bertie. Aj?nes knew that before she said she loved me. (Agnes nods her head approvi7igly.) Rose. If she had known what I know now, she could never have loved you. I did not believe that you and your silly companions at the club were anything tvorse than fools. Bertie. We aren't. We only pretend to be. I told Agnes all about it. (Agnes 7iods her head as before. En- ter Vanalstyne, Jr. , and Dr. Wainwright up l. They stop up L. c.) What have you heard ? Rose. The worst that I could possibly hear. You have ruined and cruelly deserted a woman who loved and trusted you. (Agnes drops on ottoman, R.) Bertie. I— I have— what ? {Dazed. Mrs. Opdyke ap- pears in conservatoi^y.) Wainwright (aside). He has thrown the blame on his brother, and made me a participant in his crime. Bertie (suddenly). That must be the other Henrietta that Agnes was talking about. (Turns to Rose.) Rose. You know her true name well enough, though I dare say you have been too careless to learn the whole sad truth. Dr. Wainwright can tell you that. He was at her side to-day, where you ought to have been also. Ask him what I have heard to-night. Bertie. Sister Rose, I declare to you, on the honor of a gentleman, that I know nothing whatever about the matter you are speaking of. (Agnes turns hopefully to L.) Wainwright (aside, glancing at Vanalstyne, Jr.). I will protect him no longer. (Aloud.) Mrs. Vanalstyne, here is the packet which was sent to you to-night. (Hands herj^ncket. Vanalstyne, Jr., starts in alarm, ivatching her intently. Cornelia stands at rctiZ, up r. c, looking doum. Vanalstyne, Jr., has taken a small chair arid places it back to audience, iq) c. and l. ; sits.) Rose. A packet of letters to the poor woman from the man who deserted her. (Crosses to Bertie, p^/i.s the letters in his hand, then re-crosses to Agnes. Bertie looks at the letters beivildered, then sloivly unwraps the packet, looks at the letters and starts. Vanalstyne, Jr., is ivatching him intently. He gives a slight start as he sees the letters. The others are looking at him deeply interested. Rose turns to him.) Do you recognize tlie liandwriting? (Music, v. v.) Bertie. Yes, I — why ? ( Turns sharply to Vanalstyne, Jr., who rises and looks at him apx)ealingly. Bertie tiwns to audience, lookfs at letters again, then looks to Agnes.) Agnes ! Agnes. Bertie ! (Falls on ottoman, r. , face in hands, .sobbing. Rose is consoling her. Bertie turns again .sharply to Vanalstyne, Jr., who points to Rose appeal- ingly and shakes his head. Rose crosses to Vanalstyne, 46 " THE HENRIETTA." Jr. Bertie turns again to audience, then slowly crosses to mantel, and drojys letters quietly into fire. Music swells to F. E. Bertie leans on mantel, head on hand.) CURTAIN. SECOND PICTURE. Bertie on r. ottoman, with elboiv on knee. Dr. Wain- WRiGHT stands ivith his hand on his shoidder behind him. Agnes and Rose up l. c, Agnes looking at Bertie, Rose draicing her gently towards l. d. ; Van- ALSTYNE, Jr., uiith one foot on conservatory .stej)s. Mrs. Opdyke has jncked letters out of fire and extiyi- guished flame. Music kept up f. all through. CURTAIN. ACT III. SCENE PLOT. PLAIN CHAMBER. 4 wings. 2 set doors. C. D. Flats. Interior backings back of all openings. BROKER'S OFFICE FURNITURE. Cloth down over Act II. , carpet tacked and stretched. 1 flat or roll top desk, oak or ash. 2 revolving office chairs. 2 large oak armchairs. 1 small oak table. 3 light oak chairs. 1 roll-top desk. Plenty of plain rugs. Telephone on right side of R. D. Telephone bell outside of R. D. Glass of water outside of R. D. Basket in front of ticker. Machine in perfect working order. Have dummy ticker in R. 1 E. in case of accident to machine. Bunch of keys for Musgrave. Newspaper for Van, Jr. Small note book and pencil for Flint. ARTICLES ON DESK R. 1 inkstand and pens and pencils. 1 check-book. 1 order-book. 1 put pad — pink. 1 call pad — blue. 2 pads of writing paper. Half dozen blank calling cards. Inventories, list, quotation sheets, etc. Pigeon-holes filled with papers. 47 48 " THE HENRIETTA.' ARTICLES ON DESK L. 1 inkstand, pens and pencil. 1 check-book witli checks filled out 1 blotter. Papers strewn over desk. 1 waste basket in front of desk. Note.— The furniture for this scene must be of leather and of oak or ash, and anything used in Act I. viust not be used in this scene. When safe is used, dreSa it as safes are usually dressed. GAS PLOT, ' OFFICE OF WATSON, FLINT & CO. House, foots and borders full up. Bunch lights R. and L. 2 E. Bunch lights R. and L. of C. D. THE HENRIETTA." 49 ACT III. Scene I.— OJ^ce of Watson Flint & Co., Stock Exchange Brokers. Double glass doors, up stage, near c. ; corridor at hack, door down l., door up r. c, small kail beyond, desk down R., another up l., safe up r. c, small table up L. c, revolving chair at each desk, two luxurious arm- chairs, one near c, the other up r. c, Stock indicator down R., with basket ; telephone up r. c. The decoration of the room as rich as possible, yet appropriate to a busi- • ness office ; the furniture and woodwork of polished hard woods, sofa ornamented to haruionize with the decora- tions, richly engraved glass in door. The indicator is working as the curtain rises. Watson Flint stands near indicator with the tape in his hand reading it. Flint. New York Central down to one nine and three- eighths. Delaware and Hudson ninety-nine and a quarter ; all the gilt edges giving way ; and money locked up. The market is getting more and more excited. A flurry ! — more than a flurry ! "St. Paul & Omaha, preferred — one seven. Failure of Lapscomb & (>o." The air is thick with failures to-day. Keokuk and New Mexico three points lower : that comes home to us. A danger signal ! " Hen- rietta Mining and Land Company " — here we have it — "eighty-seven" — a drop of two points since ten o'clock — " eighty-five and a quarter." Aha ! The squall has struck us suddenly. Henrietta is the centre of attack. I sus- pected as much. *' Eighty-four." It is going down witli a rush. The enemy has chosen to-day for the final battle ; and Old Nick is away on his yacht. (A signal on the tele- phone, up R. c; he goes up, sj^eaks into it and listeus alter- nately.) Hello! Who is it? Oh !— Agnes ! What? {Repeats what he hears.) "Mrs. Opdike and Lady Mary have gone down to your office. They asked me to tell you they were coming." All right. (Speaks in telephone.) Is your brother Nicholas at home? {Listens.) "Bertie liasn't been at home for ten days." {Speaks in telephone.) Where is your brother Nicholas ? {Listens. ) " We haven't seen Bertie since a week ago last Tuesday." {Speaks in telephone louder.) Where is Nicholas ? {Listens. ) "If you see Bertie " Bertie be — hanged ! Good-bye. {Rings off telephone, turns atvay.) Bertie would be a valuable assistant at a crisis like this. {Returns to indicator and reads tape.) " A strong bear raid on Henrietta has devel- oped itself. All the Vanalstyne's stocks are falling rapidly. A general panic is threatened. Intense excitement. Ru- mored suspension of two National Banks. Henrietta — seventy-nine ! " {Tlie indicator stops.) A break of ten 50 " THE HENRIETTA." points since the opening. {Sits at de^k.) I must head off the enemy at once. If the old man were here, heVl toss the whole excliange on his horns. ( Writes.) " Buy ten thou- sand shares Henrietta in one block." (Enter Bektie, up C from L. ; he is dressed with exquisite neatness in the height of style, a glossy silk hat, gloves, etc. Bertie coughs, which attracts Flint.) Ah, Bertie ! Bertie. Cousin Watson ! Flint {writing.) "If this does not check the fall, buy ten thousand more." {Does not lookup.) Agnes was just speaking to me about you— through the telephone. Bertie. Agnes? Is Agnes well? Flint {rising.) She was not very well, when I last called ; she couldn't see me. {Steptping into passage up R. c. and holding out his arm with note beyond door, and exits. ) Bertie. Agnes wasn't very well the last time I heard about her. Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! {Sighs— goes up L. ; brings chair from table doum c.) Flint {re-enter^comes down). Commission to us — one-half to the big operators — six hundred and twenty-five dollars. "Whichever side loses, we brokers win. {Sitsu.; to indicator.) Tick on, my friend, you entertain me. ( Turns to Bertie and drops business tones. ) You left home very suddenly, and late at night, about ten days ago, Bertie. Bertie. Yes. Flint. We've all heard of you, now and then ; though none of the faniily has seen you. You sent back word that you had taken apartments at Delmonico's. Are you still there ? Bertie. Yes, Cousin Watson, I am launched upon a career of maddening dissipation. Flint. Indeed ! Bertie. I have become a wild and desperate gambler. During the last ten nights I have been visiting faro-banks and other dens of iniquity. I have at last come down to Wall Street. I desire to encounter a tiger of a larger size and more savage nature. They tell me that I shall find such an animal here. The smaller ones have ceased to distract my thoughts. Will 3'ou teach me the game? Flint. You wish to buy a few shares of stock ? Bertie. Yes, I will take a few dozen chips to begin with. Wliat do j^ou charge for them ? Flint. Sliares differ in value, like wall-paper, accord- ing to what is printed on them. Bertie. You may choose the pattern for yourself. Flint. How much margin do you want to put up ? Bertie. Margin? Tlioy didn't say anything about that in the other places. Wliat is a margin ? '' THE HENRIETTA." 51 Flint. Money — say ten thousand dollars— a check on your bank — or securities. Bertie. What do you mean by the word "securi- ties " ? Flint. Bonds — sound railway shares— anything that I can turn into money, at a moment's notice. Bertie. You never order stocks unless people give you money or securities first ? Flint. Certainly not. That is my only protection. If stocks go up, you make a profit. If they go down {Turns to desk.) Bertie. I lose the margin. I think I understand the game. I will try my luck. Where are the tables? Flint {turns, looks at Bertie in surprise). At the Stock Excliange, across the way. Bertie. I suppose I can go over there with safety. ^'' (Rises and stand back of chair.) About how often do the police pull it ? Flint. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! You will be quite safe. (Rises. The indicator ticks.) This is the machine w^e play the game with. Bertie. I will give you my check for fifty thousand dollars. (Walking l. to desk and sits.) Flint. How does Hem^ietta suit jou? Bertie (turning suddenly). Henrietta does not suit me at all, sir. Henrietta has been the cause of all my troubles ; and permit me to say this, sir, if any man men- tions the name of Henrietta to me again, I will hit him. Flint. Oh, very well. Shall I buy Keokuk and Bertie. Buy anything you like. (At desk l. c. ; writes check. ) Flint (looking at tape). Ah! a rally of four points, from seventy -nine back to eiglity-three. That last order has had its effects. (Reads tape.) "Henrietta is now holding its own. All the Vanalstyne stocks are stronger, and the panic is checked.'^ (Indicator stojis.) The bear movement seems to be paralyzed. (Turns to desk and writes. ) (Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., up c, ivith 7iewspaper hi his hand.) Vanalstyne, Jr. (stopping near door). Bertie — here? Bertie ! (Bertie rises, comes to c. at same moment Vanalstyne, Jr., comes doimi l. c, holds out hand and says " Bertie ! " Bertie turns suddenly, makes move- ment as if to take his hand, looks at him, then shakes his head and goes to Flint. Vanalstyne, Jr., sighs and goes L. to desk and sits. ) Bertie. Here is the check. 52 " THE HENRIETTA." Flint {turyiing in his chair). Oh, Nicholas ! You've come at last. ( Takes Bertie's check and writes on a card, not looking up from desk.) I will give you a card of intro- duction to my partner at the Exchange— the Broad Street entrance. There's a special place for private visitors. Be sure you don't get on the floor by mistake. No outsider lias ever been on the floor of the New York Stock Ex- change and come out alive. (Looks up at Bertie.) We always kill them— and eat them for lunch . (Giving a card.) Bertie. It will entertain me. (Flint takes paper he has icritten on from desk and goes to door r. and exits. Bertie crosses l. to table, takes hat and cane, goes up c, turns ^o Vanalstyne, Jr.) How did you leave Agnes this morning ? Vanalstyne, Jr. (he does not look up from newspaper). She didn't come down to breakfast ; a headache, Rose told me. Bertie (half aside). I have a headache, too, nearly every morning now. (Sighs.) I wish that were the only pain. Perhaps the Stock Exchange is good for a head- ache. (Exit up C. offL.) (Re-enter Flint, goes to desk r. and sits.) Vanalstyne, Jr. (throivs doion paper, rises suddenly and comes to c). Flint ! Flint. Well? (At desk.) Vanalstyne, Jr. It was you, of course, that gave the order which checked the panic a few moments ago ? Flint. Yes ; I have general instructions to protect .your father's stocks in case both of you are absent. Now that you are here, you can take charge of matters yourself. Vanalstyne, Jr. You and I may as well understand each other to-day, Flint. Flint (turns to Vanalstyne, Jr.). I think we do un- derstand each other. It was you that tried to bring about the panic this morning. Your father has sailed on his steam yacht for a day's excursion, leaving his affairs in your charge. You have been waiting for an opportunitj'- like this to strike the final blow, after fighting against him in secret for more than three months. You have been working the market to-day from the private office of your father's bitterest enemy on the Street — Mr. John Van Brunt. If you succeed in beating down the price of Henrietta to sixty-five, before three o'clock, Nicholas Vanalstyne will be ruined, and you will be a million- aire many times over. We understand each other per- fectly, you see. Vanalstyne, Jr. Perfectly. Flint. But for tlie present you have failed. You for- " THE HENRIETTA." got to instruct me not to protect the stocks. It was a serious oversight. I am a mere business machine. Vanalstyne, Jr. It was, indeed, an oversight. (Takes L. corner.) Flint. Tlie battle has been turned against you ; you have exhausted all the money and securities within your reach, and it is after two o'clock already. Vanalstyne, Jr. I have but one resource left. Flint (rises and comes c). I see what you mean. Your father's own securities. Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes. Flint. But even you cannot nerve yourself to take them from the safe deposit vaults and use them against him. It U'ould be very much like robbery, Vanalstyne, Jr. Father has his own keys with him, and I mislaid mine. Flint. I did you an injustice ; I thought you had con- scientious scruples. (Returns to desk.) (Enter Musgrave i;j3 c, nervous, anxious and out of breath ; tliroivs hat in chair R., comes down L. c.) Musgrave. Ah, Mr. Vanalstyne ! I hope the Henrietta mine is all right. I found your keys, sir Vanalstyne, Jr. Ah ! Musgrave. After you left the house. Vanalstyne, Jr. Quick ! Give them to me. (Comes to Musgrave hiuTiedly.) Musgrave (searching his pockets). I saw how anxious you were about it, sir, and hurried right down. Where did I put them ? I hope the delay hasn't been dangerous to your father's interests. Oh, here they are ! (Giving keys. ) Vanalstyne, Jr. (goes to l. corner, hurriedly turns and rushes up c. , 7neets Old Nick in door c. , starts hack and goes to L. corner) . Just in time ! Now, w^atch the ticker, Flint. Vanalstyne. Hello, boys ! The bears have been play- ing the devil with you this morning, haven't they ? The old bull has come back. Just in from BuUtown. Stand from under, youngsters ! (Moving down. Flint goes up and sits in armchair. ) Watch the blue Empyrean above my horns ! You'll see a thousand bears pawing the air in about fifteen minutes. (Moves R. looking at tape.) My steam yacht broke her shaft while we were passing Staten Island. As we were landing at Stapleton, a friend called out to me from the dock, " There's an earthquake in Wall Street." I tumbled over the taffrail and caught the next ferry, I enjoy earthquakes. They have been hammering things down— a regular bear raid. Trying to catch me in 9,^ 54 " THE HENRIETTA." a panic, eh ? I've been through fifty panics before. Going to wipe out Old Nick, eh? I'll have a jollier excursion than I expected to-day. Things are safe for the present, I see. This is an ambuscade ; they knew of my absence. (Exit Flint. During the following Old Nick rises into savage earnestness, moving l. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., half crouching as he proceeds, Flint's eyes fixed upon him.) Strange ! — that I can't" find who my real enemy is. When I do find him, I'll crush him to the earth. I'll grind his life out. It will be a death struggle between us ; but his heart will cease to beat. {Stops suddenly, looking at Vanalstyne, Jr., who has staggered slightly icith his hand at his heart. Old Nick catches him.) My boy, you're trembling. It's no time now to lose courage. The fight isn't over yet. How much ammunition have you left ? What securities have you used up, so far ? Vanalstyne, Jr. I was about to go to the Safe Deposit, to get our securities, Vanalstyne. Just going ! MusGRAVE. He mislaid the keys, sir. Vanalstyne. The devil he did ! MuSGRAVE. I have just brought them to him. Vanalstyne, Then hurry up ! Bring all there are. We may need them to-day. {Returning r. to indicator.) Vanalstyne, Jr. (aside). I shall win the battle yet. (Exit up c, , hurriedly. ) Vanalstyne. Musgrave, follow my son ; he'll need your assistance. (Exit Musgrave up c.) The bears have had everything their own way this morning. (Looking at taj^e.) But I'll toss 'em ; the weather is changing ; it will soon begin to rain bears. (Stoj) ticker.) (Re-enter Flint, goes to his desk, takes a paper and starts to go c, sees the ladies as they enter. Enter Mrs. Cor- nelia Opdyke and Lady Mary up c. from l. ; Lord Arthur ivalks in quietly behind them.) Flint. Ladies ! (Takes chair from table L., places it c. for Cornelia.) Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke ! Helloa, Mary ! Cornelia. We have come down to Wall Street on busi- ness. Flint. You received my note. (Then to Vanalstyne.) The Louisville and West Tennessee, preferred, which you instructed me to transfer to Mrs. Opdyke. Vanalstyne (moving to Cornelia, c). I signed the papers yesterday. (Lord Arthur ivalks down r. c, the indicator begins to tick, he starts around and stands star- ing at it through his glass ; Lady Mary has dropped into chair up r. c. ; Flint has gone to safe up R. c, opening it and counting over a bundle of shares.) " THE HENRIETTA." 55 Cornelia. I believe I am under great obligation to you, Mr. Vanalstyne, for letting me have these railway shares. Mr. Flint tells me they are the choicest now in the market. {Ticker.) Vanalstyne. Don't mention it, madam. I'm very glad to serve you. {Aside.) If the Rev. Dr. Hilton knew I had the widow's fortune in my control, the vestry meeting, next week, would be interesting. {Returning it. he stops suddenly, looking at Lord Arthur, tvho is still staring at indicator. It stops ticking. Lord Arthur tarns; glances up at Vanalstyne a moment, then quietly crosses l. front.) I wish that was a bear cub, instead of a British lion. I'd toss it so high, to-day, it'd never come down. (Lord Arthur sits l.) Lady Mary {rising). / came down on business, too; my little flyer on Salt Lake City and Denver, at ten days! {Going to indicator.) Vanalstyne (r. c). Tliis is the day. I'm sorry, old girl, but you've lost that little wedding present, {clmck- ling) and I've got it. Lady Mary. {She has picked up the tape and is looking at it.) Oh, no ! Here it is now ; just come, on the ticker. It's tliirt3'-five to-day. {Looks up slyly at Old Nick.) I saw a twinkle in your eye, governor, when you gave me that pointer. You advised me to buy at forty-six. I sold at that figure — you bought. {Laughs.) Vanalstyne. I ! Flint. {During jwevious speech, he has come down to his desk, comes dozen to Old Nick.) Five thousand shares, sir ! Vanalstyne. I ! That rubbish ! — at forty-six ? Five thousand rat-traps ! Flint. Here is your order to me, sir. {Hands him order. ) Vanalstyne {looking at order, then at Mary). Is this the order you wrote out and brought me to sign ? Lady Mary. I wrote two of them. You read one and signed the other. Flint. The difference due Lady Mary is fifty-five thou- sand dollars. {Returning to safe. ) Commission to us from both sides. Vanalstyne {bursting suddenly into hearty laughter). Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Kiss your dad ! {Goes to Iter ; seizes her in his arms; kisses her.) Exactly like her mother. {Crosses to c.) I always tried to do Matilda out of her anniversary presents. ( Walking L. ) But she doubled them on me every year. {Stops suddenly before Lord Arthur, then turns up l. to Cornelia.) Lord Arthur. My American father-in-law hasn't got over being surprised every time lie meets me, yet. {The indicator ticks, Lady Mary looks at tape.) 56 " THE HENRIETTA." Lady Mary. Henrietta ! Cornelia {springing to her feet). The Witch of Wall Street ! (Lady Mary looks sternly across at Lord Arthur ; he sits and speaks with all the injured dignity he can as- sume.) Lord Arthur. Lady Mary ! I still insist that Henrietta is a chestnut filly from Kentiickissippiana, or some other damned American state, at the races at St. Jerome Park. ( The indicator stops. ) Lady Mary {looks sternly at Lord Arthur). I am surprised, Lord Arthur Trelawney, that you sliould persist so long in trying to deceive me, {Turns and reads tape slowly.) " Henrietta is now eighty -five." {Slight p)ause.) Cornelia {rises suddenly). Dr. Hilton paid she was a young woman. Vanalstyne (Old Nick at hack of Cornelia, trying to suppress iaughs, then comes round to c). Let me set you right, Mrs. Opdyke. Ten days ago, it was necessary to conceal matters ; but it's an open fight now, Henrietta is not a woman. It is only the Henrietta Railwa}' and Mining Company. Tliere is a Witch of Wall Street and she is on the list of the Stock Exchange ; but her name isn't Henrietta. Doctor Hilton and I made up that little story to put you off the track. Henrietta is not a woman. {He takes chair up stage, and Cornelia goes up L. c. with him. ) Lady Mary. 0-h ! Artie, (^ear/ {Crosses stage in front to L. with arms extended and picks him up and stands him on his feet.) My darling, sweet little English lord ! And I haven't let you go outside the house, alone, since we arrived in New York. My poor, dear, little Artie ! {Pat- ting him under the chin.) Lord Arthur. I always said it was only a chestnut filly. Lady Mary. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ha ! My dear, innocent pet! {Turns to Cornelia.) Cornelia, my love, there's another private room on the other side of the hall. Lord Arthur and I will wait there till you are ready. Come, Artie, dear! {Apart.) I owe you a thousand kisses. ( Goes up stage with her arm about Lord Arthur. Both go up stage rapidly, laughing and talking ad lib. until well off c. and L. ) Vanalstyne {both Vanalsiyne and Cornelia come down c, Vanalstyne on r.). I hope you will forgive me for deceiving you, Mrs. Opdyke. Cornelia. And I've been wronging our dear, good pastor all this time. Vanalstyne. Oh, by jove ! {Aside.) It lets him out as well as me. Flint {rises from desk ivith check and crosses to CoR- " THE HENRIETTA." 57 NELIA). Mrs. Opdyke, if you will sign this check for three hundred and sixteen thousand dollars, to the order of Mr. Vanalstyne, the transaction will be completed. Cornelia. Certainly. (Both go to desk h.,FL,iNT hands her pen, she signs check, gives it to him, he crosses to Van- alstyne.) Flint. The railway shares are in my safe. (The indi- cator ticks. ) Vanalstyne (aside). I hope I shan't be obliged to ruin that railroad company to freeze out the parson. (Crossing R.) I'll propose to the widow before he has a chance to see her again. Flint (the check in his hand). Where shall I deposit Mrs. Opdyke's check for you ? Vanalstyne, What bank is it on ? Flint. The Security. Vanalstyne. Transfer it to my own account in the same bank. (Flint goes to his desk.) I may have to draw on it this afternoon. My other accounts are very low to-day. (At indicator.) Hello! What's this? (Beads.) "The bears have suddenly resumed their attack on the Vanal- styne stocks." Henrietta is going down again. Flint! (Comes down to him R. c.) What margin liave you left for us? Flint. I can order ten thousand more shares. Vanalstyne. Do it — in Henriettas — at once. Flint. Yes, sir. (Goes to r. d.) Vanalstyne. It is time Nicholas returned. Flint. His worthy son has evidently got the securities in his own hands and is using them. (Exits R. ; indicator stox)s. ) Cornelia, Well ! (Rises from desk.) We have com- pleted this business matter. I will go, (Starts to go up c.) Vanalstyne (turns to her). Don't you be in a hurry. Cornelia. Lady Mary is waiting. Vanalstyne. But / haven't completed my business with you, madam. Cornelia. Indeed ! Vanalstyne. No I (Holds tape in right hand, looks at her, then at tape several times undecidedly, then drops tape and goes to her c.) I'm in love with you. Cornelia. Eh ? Vanalstyne. And I want you to be my wife. Cornelia. Wliat ! Vanalstyne. You heard what I said. I know I'm a rough, blunt man, and I can't descr-be my feelings as an- other man migbt, that didn't love you half as much. Cornelj.a (turning away) . At last ! 5g '• THE HENRIETTA." Vanalstyne. But mj^ heart {The indicator ticks. He stojos abruptly and goes back to it, watching tape. ) Cornelia (aside, still looking aumy). I must not yield too easily, but I do like him. {Aloud.) Go on, sir. {Aside.) His tongue falters. Vanalstyne. Holy Moses ! Cornelia. Eh? {Turnijig.) Vanalstyne. I've got to back out of this. Cornelia. Sir? Vanalstyne. Henrietta down to seventy-six. The old lady is getting me into a trap. Why the devil doesn't Nicholas return with those securities? {Turns squarely towards her.) They've got the old bull in a corner. Cornelia. Really, sir, I don't know what all this has to do with — with {Indicator stops.) Vanalstyne, Oh, of course ! As I was saying. {Backs away from ticker.) I've been in love with you since we first met. I have loved you more and more from that day to this. You must be my wife. Cornelia. Must ? {Looks away L.) Vanalstyne. Yes, madam — must ! And if any man dares to come between us, I'll choke him — through his white cravat — damn him. {Shakes his fist at audience.) Cornelia. Oh, he is delightful ! Vanalstyne. I love you, Cornelia, with all my strength — with a love that will not be denied. It shall not be de- nied Cornelia. Do give me time. Vanalstyne. How much ? {Roughly.) Cornelia. Time— to— say— " Yes." Vanalstyne. Yes! {Tlirowing out his arms eagerly.) Cornelia. Y-e-s. {Spreading her arms and falling hack towards him. The indicator ticks. He drops his arms and rushes to it, leaving her to totter back over her skirts and sit squarely on the floor. She springs uj) at once and stands like an enraged tigress, glaring at him. He is staring at the tape. ) Vanalstyne. The old girl is down again. Cornelia. Mr. Vanalstyne ! Vanalstyne. That's the worst tumble I ever saw in so short a time. Cornelia. I say no — no — no — no ! Vanalstyne. Sixty-nine ! Cornelia. A thousand times — no ! {Sweeps up stage, throws open both doors ivith her hands, angrily, and exits rapidly.) Vanalstyne. Cornelia ! Cornelia ! Cornelia ! {Has tape in right hand, half turning each time to see, a^s if un- decided whether to follow or remain at ticker, but remains at ticker. The indicator ticks.) " THE HENRIETTA." fJO (Enter Flint, r., hurriedly; comes dozen to Vanal- STYNE, R. c.) Flint. Bad news, Mr. Vanalstyne ! My partner sends word that everything has gone by the board, and the wliole Exchange is in full panic. Vanalstyne. "Sixty-eight." [At ticker.) Our mar- gins are exliausted? (Half turns to Flint.) Flint. Yes, sir. Vanalstyne (lookim/ at icatch ; goes to c. ; Flint tnkes Jiis place at ticker). Half-past two. If Nicliolas doesn't return within ten minutes, we shall be wiped out. Ah ! The three hundred thousand just received from Mrs. Opdyke in the Security Bank. That'll keep us afloat till he gets here. I'll give you a check for it. (Sits at desk up L.) We'll get ahead of them yet. (Writing cheek. ) Flint (reading tape). " The chairman has just an- nounced the failure of the Security Bank." (Indicator stops. ) Vanalstyne. Failed ! The Security ? (Starting up and throwing doivn his j)en. Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., up C. ; comes down c.) Ah, you are here, my boy ! (Throii's arms around his neck. ) The old bull is still alive. I'll toss them yet. The securities ! Vanalstyne, Jr. (quietly). I am sorry to say, father, that I have not got them. Vanalstyne. You— you haven't brought them ? (Stag- gers hack toivard c.) And there's not a moment to lose. (Flint sits at his desk.) Vanalstyne, Jr. There are no securities belonging to us in the safe deposit vaults. Our safe there is quite empty. Vanalstyne. A robbery ! You lost your keys this morning. It w^as Musgrave found tliem. Vanalstyne, Jr. Yes, Musgrave found them. Vanalstyne. He has been bribed by the opposition. We can punish him, poor wretch ! (Indicator ticks.) Flint (business of reading tape from chair without rising) . ' ' Henrietta — sixty-five.'" (Indicator stops. ) Vanalstyne (in c, hands extended, listening anxiously for report). We have lost the fight. (Arms droj) to his sides in despair .) It has been a long battle and a liard one, and my entire fortune has been swept away. This is my Waterloo. (Tur^ns to Vanalstyne. Jr.) Your for- tune is gone also, my son. (Crosses to Vanalstyne, Jr., and pats him on the back.) But cheer up,. Nick, old boy. You're still young, and I am only fifty-five. We'll begin life again togetlier. The world's before us, and we'll enjoy the struggle. (Enter Musgrave up c, puts hat on GO '* THE HENRIETTA." chair as before. Vanalstyne tuims sharply, sees Mus- GRAVE, moticms for him to come down, ivhich Musgrave does, R. c.) Musgrave, you liave a wife and family ; I'll do what I can for them, but yoti must go to prison. {Then to Flint. ) Send for an officer. Musgrave. To prison ? Vanalstyne. Where are those securities ? Musgrave. I accompanied your son to assist him, as you instructed me. He did not wish me to do that, but I watclied him all the way — for fear he might be robbed — from the Safe Deposit Company to the very door of Mr. Van Brunt's office. (Musgrave boivs his head.) Vanalstyne. Van Brunt ! (Old Nick j^uts his hand on his shoulder and Musgrave raises his head, and they look at each other squarely in the face; then he turns .slowly and looks at Vanalstyne, Jr.) Flint (aside). This is growing interesting. Vanalstyne, Jr. My dear father ! let me explain mat- ters. You have thouglit it to your own interest to in- crease the value of the Henrietta Mining and Land Com- pany. I have found that my interests lay in the opposite direction. Vanalstyne {removes hand from Musgrave's shoulder quickly, and starts hack). Why, it is you, then, who Iiave {Half starting forward with raised hands. He clinches his fists fir^mly and checks himself ; pids his hands behind his back with an effort.) Go on, sir ! Vanalstyne, Jr. I have done what seemed best for my own business interests. You have lost your fortune to-day, but / have gained one. I will settle upon you an allow- ance of ten thousand dollars a year. ( Turns squarely to Old Nick.) Vanalstyne. Scoundrel ! {Darting across and seizing Vanalstyne, Jr., by the throat ; forces him doivn before him.) You trembled when I said I would crush my enemy — tremble now ! I told you it would be a death struggle between us ; but his heart would cease to beat. Does yours beat now, you coward ? By God ! it will be the last time ! ( Tlirows him savagely on the floor ; starts forward as if to crush him. Vanalstyne, Jr., says appealingly, " Fatlier ! " Old Nick stojjs .suddenly, looks at him, stag- gers back, and says) My son ! My loved and trusted son ! My God ! my own son ! {Staggers back up c. feebly, unth face to the audience, then turns, throws both liands above his head, .'iays) My God ! my own son ! {and staggers off L. c. Slight pause until Nick uiell off ; then Musgrave takes his hat hurriedly and exits after him. Vanalstyne, Jr., rises to /li.s feet, stands down l., ivavcring slightly and breathing heavily.) "THE HENRIETTA." d Flint (rises and crosses to c). Have you any orders at present for us ? Vanalstyne, Jr. (stands ivith hand on heart, leaning heavily against desk L. ) . Not to-day. Flint. I hope that you will favor our firm in your future operations. (Exit up R. C.) Vanalstyne, Jr. I shall be master of Wall Street yet. (Rushes over to ticker ; takes tape and is looking at it eagerly.) The master of Wall Street ! (Enter Dr. Wainwright ?tp c. : puts hat on L. table, then crosses hurriedly to Vanalstyne, Jr. ; puts hand on his shoulder. ) Wainwright. Vanalstyne, I have driven down from your house as rapidly as possible. Your wife told me you were liere. I warned you yesterday that you should not leave your room for three daj^s at the least. Vanalstyne, Jr. Business is business. Wainwright. Business — gambling — with the angel of death. I find the whole street in a furore of excitement. There are crowds surging to and fro, from Trinity Church to the Custom House. The newsboys are just calling a suicide. I have come to meet my enemy Death on his own ground to-day. (Drags him aivayfroni ticker.) You need rest at once. Come! (They exeunt.) (Enter Bertie iq) c, His hat is crushed and his clothes in general disorder ; one side of his collar sticking up and his necktie askew on the other side, his gloves half torn off and cuff torn and hanging doivn, etc., etc.) Bertie. I have been introduced to the Stock Exchange. (Comes doicn c.) I shall never again refer in a light and I>rofane way to the place of eternal punishment. The gentlemanly quiet that prevails at other gambling estab- lisliments in New York is Heaven. I got upon tlie floor at first, among tlie brokers, by accident. My hat was im- mediately jammed down over my eyes from behind. A policeman in the hall advised me to go to the gallery. I had no sooner worked my w^ay to the front rail, than I was recognized by every man on the floor below. They all suddenly began to howl : " Henrietta! " As I reached the street, a man ran up to me and cried out : " How is Hen- rietta ? " I knocked him down and proceeded on my w^ay. Half a dozen newsboys ran by me. yelling at the top of their voices : " All about Vanalstyne and Henrietta." My headache is cured. (Goes l. ; sits despondently at desk — y 02 " THE HENRIETTA." (jE^>ifer MUSGRAVE, c. ; comes down G. Thefolloiving scenes must he played with great rapidity.) MusGRAVE. Oh, Mr. Bertie, this is a sad day for all of us. Bertie. It is for me. MusGRAVE. Your father has lost his fortune. Bertie. Father! {Turns suddenly .) MUSGRAVE. And I have lost all the little savings of a lifetime. Bertie. Father has lost his fortune ? He gave me half a million dollars a few weeks ago. I'll give him back what there is left of it. MusGRAVE. How much have you? {Turns sharply to Bertie.) Bertie. I've been getting rid of it as fast as I could, but there's more than four hundred thousand dollars left in the bank. MusGRAVE. In the bank ? It is still there ? Perhaps you can save him yet. Bertie. Where is he? I'll give it to him at once. {Starts to go. ) MusGRAVE. No, no ! It is too late for that. He is gone ; and it is nearly three o'clock. Mr. Flint, make out a check to his order. (Musgrave hurries across R. ; Ber- tie goes to desk up L. ; Musgrave calls out up> r. c.) Mr. Flint ! {Soliloquizes.) He can order forty thousand shares with that margin and the enemy is unprepared. They think the victory is gained. Tlie panic will set the op- posite way like a torrent. {Looks at u'atch.) Ten minutes to three. The last moment. {Turns up, calls.) Mr. Flint I {Moving L, to Bertie, ivho is icriting check. ) {Enter Flint up r. c. ; comes to ticker.) Flint. What is it, Musgrave? Ah, Bertie, your fifty thousand dollars is gone. Musgrave. No, here — here! {Crosses loith check.) Flint {taking it). Four hundred thousand ; what shall I buy with this ? Bertie. Peanuts, if you like. Musgrave will tell you. Musgrave. Henrietta ! Henrietta ! ! Bertie {starting to his feet) . What the devil do you mean by that ? Flint. I'll go on the floor myself with this order. Forty thousand shares. It may turn the battle at the last mo- ment. {Takes hat from his desk and rushes off c. and l.) Musgrave. It will. {Goes to ticker, picks up tape and stands eagerly scanning it. ) The last sale was at sixty -five. It will soon be bouncing upwards. Bertie {rolls up coat sleeves, buttons his coat, fixes his "THE HENRIETTA." 63 hat on straight, and crosses slowly to Musgra^ve, and puts his hand on his shoulder). Musgrave ! in speaking to Mr. Flint iust now, you referred to a certain young woman. Permit me to say that I have great respect tor your age, but I am a dangerous man. Musgrave. The last moment ! Bertie I have already knocked down one man to-day. I have not decided yet what I shall do to you, if you men- tion tliat lady's nome again in my presence, but 1 m pre- pared to knock down any number of men of suitable age, for that purpose. {Returns to desk l..) ^„. ^ , ,, . Musgrave {still looking at tape). Mr. Flint hasn t got there yet ; but it will soon go up. (Enter Vanalstyne, Jr., from door L. ; hurriedly followed hy Dr. Wainv^tright.) Vanalstyne. Jr. Be patient, doctor ! I'll return in a moment ; but I must see the closing quotation. {Crosses hurriedly to indicator, throws Musgrave aside roughly, seizes tape eagerly. Wainright stmids up l. ; Musgrave drovs hack r. c. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., looks at the tape.) There is no further danger. Henrietta has gone to pieces. ^^Ber?ie.*' She has gone to pieces. {A broad smile chang- ing into a look of horror, then to a smile again.) I am ^ Wainwright. The infernal machine is still at work. It kills more men than dynamite. , . Vanalstyne, Jr. {tcith sudden interest, giving the loords one by one as they come off tlw ^'^^Z^^^^) • .' ' ^^avy and unexpected-orders-for-the Vanalstyne-Stocks. MusgrIve {aside). Flint is on the floor. He's carrying eveiTthing before him. There's a crowd of^ howling demons ai'ound him now. The panic is setting in the op- posite wav like a torrent. . T^ . , J- ^Vanalstyne, JR. Wild excitement ! Prices bounding ,„,_seventy^nine-eighty ! {He draics up, bringing his Znd to his heart and stepping back R c. ; f/ie Doctor starts, watching Mm; Musgr^ye rushing down to indicator.) MUSGRAVE {reading). Eighty-three eighy-five Ha -ha' {Turning fo Vanalstyne, Jr.) You tried to ruin vour father-it is you who are ruined. Henrietta is safe Tpointsexidtantlyto Vanalstyne, Jr., icho has staggered to c. and fallen into Wainright's arms.) Bertie. Damn Henrietta ! {Rushes out of door l.). MUSGRAVE. " Eighty-eight,-ninety." {Indicator stops ) One point higher than it was yesterday, and— and the Ex- chang^ is closed. {Rushes up, wheels down armchair to c. ; Wainwright places Vanalstyne, Jr., m chair.) 64 " THE HENRIETTA." Wainwright (looks up to MusGRAVE). Water ! water ! (Musgrave goes out R. d. ; Vanalstyne, Jr., sinks into the chair.) {Enter the Rev. Dr. Hilton up c. hurriedly and ccmies down c. rapidly. ) Hilton (anxiously). Gentlemen, I— I have heard— is It true ?— that Mr. Vanalstyne has been ruined ? Believe me— I am deeply— very deeply— interested— I mean— con- cerned. (Throivs umbrella on Fhmrs desk. He suddenly moves down to the indicator and looks at tape, handlina U nei^ously.) ^ (Musgrave enters with water ; the Doctor waves him away.) Wainwright. It is useless now. (Goes to back of chair c. ) •' Musgrave. Useless! (To Vanalstyne, Jr.) Oh sir can you hear me ? Vanalstyne, Jr., opens his eyes 'look- ing at him. ) The last words your father said to me ' as he tottered mto his carriage, was this : " Look after my son Musgrave, and— and tell him I forgive him." Vanalstyne, Jr. Forgive! (Weakly closing his eyes Musgrave goes up slowly to l. table, places glass on table and stands with back to audience, head bowed ) ' Wainwright. Doctor Hilton ? Hilton. Eh! (Twms fo Wainwright.) Wainwright. My duty as a physician is ended. A dying man, sir I (Takes off hat and stands with head bmced) You are his pastor. (Moving a step back and to the other side of the chair ; Hilton moves a feiv steps to- ivards them, half cringing and beivildered. Vanalstyne jr., slowly opens his eyes and leans forivard on the arm of the chair, looking at Hilton.) Vanalstyne, Jr. One of your rich parishioners ! (Looks at Hilton as he speaks, drawing up to his fidl height and rciising his arm to its full length, pointing upivards.) vI^'.^tT^ ^® T""^' ^'^ ^'^^'^®" • (HiNTON cringes before him. Vanalstyne, Jr., bursts into a laugh.) Ha !-}ki ^-ha ' ;LL oW^^TH '^ ^^an howto die! (TJien almost sav- agely, suddenly leaning forward and looking him straight m the face. ) Have you ever shown me how to live 9 You have robbed me of my liope. (Hilton turns cringing and IZi'^f^-il'^''"^' '''^^ ^''' ^^cJc to the audience; the in- Itn^^fJ t''^'' Vanalstyne, Jr., starts; it stops ; he rises, Stuarts forward.) Seventy - one-sixty - eight. (Ticker mX^-LJ^-^t'^^w'''^'/^-' '*''^^''^' ^^'^ ^''fo Doctor's aims and sinks into chair; his head drojjs on his breast " THE HENRIETTA." 66 lifeless ; the Doctor places his hand over his patienVs heart ; the indicator ticks a few times, and is silent.) Wainwright. Tick on ! tick on ! Bring fortune — and despair — to the living ; the ear of a dead man cannot hear you. (Indicator ticks till curtain is down.) SLOW CURTAIN. SECOND PICTURE. Everybody off stage except Vanalstyne, Jr. Ticker ticks slowly and sharply until curtain is down. curtain. Act IV. SAME AS ACT II.— DRAWING-ROOM OF VANAL- STYNE MANSION. LIGHT FANCY. 3 wings. 1 set door. 1 large arch. 1 large square opening. Conservatory backing back of arch. 1 light fancy practical window. Street backing behind window. Interior backing back of set door. Mirror backing behind mantel. 20-inch platform in large arch 6x8. Steps from platform on the stage. Light fancy borders. Note.— Make all sets far down steige as possible ; close to proscenium. PROPERTY LIST. SAME AS ACT II., WITH A FEW SLIGHT CHANGES OF FURNITURE. 1 small gilt easel. 1 cabinet photograph of man, to destroy. 1 large, richly carved table (gold), not same as used in Act II. Books. 1 photograph of man on small easel on table R. 1 photograph of Dr. Wainwright on mantel L. 1 letter written and sealed, for Rose. 1 bundle of burnt letters in tissue paper, for Cornelia. 1 bundle of bonds for Musgrave. 1 inventory and pencil for Musgrave. 1 coin for Bertie. 66 ♦* THE HENRIETTA." 67 Note. — Everything on this list must be in the theater before the arrival of company. Do not make any changes or alterations. The furniture for Acts II. and IV., satins, plus-hes, or brocatelles. The settings of this piece must be of the richest and most elaborate and expensive descrip- tion. GAS PLOT. SAME AS ACT II.. EXCEPT THAT CHANDELIER, STATUE-LIGHTS AND LOG ARE NOT LIGHTED. Change blue strip for white, back of conservatory. Change blue bunch to white, back of window L. U. E. Note. — When ceilings are used, only first border is lighted. All others must be taken up out of the way. When ceilings are not used, all borders full up. Strip lights on proscenium. Too much light cannot be given any of these scenes. CALCIUM PLOT. Snme as Act IT., excepting all lights change to white. No medium behind fireplace L. G8 " THE HENRIETTA. ACT IV. Scene I. — An interval of eighteen months. Vanalstyne's residence. The drawing-room as in Act II. Furniture differently arranged. Sofa doivn L. c, near mantel; table up c. ; table down R. ; on latter a small easel-frame, with cabinet photograph, facing up stage ; an ottoman down L. ; armchair up R. c. ; sunlight through conserva- tory roof and sides ; the plants in conservatory re-ar- ranged; tJie curtains of the French ivindoic in receptio7i- room up L. drawn, showing balcony and street beyond ; fire in grate— December. Discovered : Agnes, standing in the conservatory, half sitting on the railing against the further side of the arch. She has flowers in her hands, toying with them. Agnes. Almost a year and a half since I went away. It doesn't seem possible. Everything in the house looks so natural. It's over two hours since I got home, and I liaven't seen Bertie yet. I — I'm very glad. I suppose I oughtn't to be, but I am glad that Bertie missed the steamer for Europe to-day. {Enter Rose up l. c. She ivalks in sloivly, looking at the address of an unopened note. She pauses, down c, still looking at it. ) Rose. From Dr. Wainwright. (Starts to tear it open; stops.) I know what it must contain. His last words to me yesterday, and his last look, told me plainly enough. (Sighs.) He loves me. (Pats her hand uHth the envelope irresolutely.) I — I'm sure I — I have never said anything to — to encourage him. (Sighs again; turning R., stands before table.) Dr. Wainwright has been a kind, dear friend, and I — I have always been glad to — to have him call — even when it was not absolutely necessary in the line of his professional duty, but I have never said one word to lead him to think that I — that I — but how foolish I am — I dare say it is only a prescription. I was threatened with a cold when he was here yesterday. (She is opening the envelope. Her eyes rest on the portrait on the table. She stops suddenly, drops the note on the table, and sinks upon the ottoman, looking at the picture.) My husband, the idol of my girlish dreams ! Can I have a single thought that is not devoted to your memory ? (Agnes comes doicn the steps, c. , to Rose ; puts arm around her neck affection- ately. ) Agnes. Rose, darling ! That's just the way I saw you sitting and looking at his picture, eighteen months ago, " THE HENRIETTA." 69 before I went away to Boston. I wish you could think of something else, dear. That's a note from Dr. Wain- wright, isn't it ? Rose. Yes! {Snatching it up hastily.) Some advice about my health — tliat is — I haven't read it yet — but {Thrusts note into her bosom; both rise; Rose crosses to L, ; Agnes remains c.) Agnes, I have something very close to my heart, and I want to talk with you about a certain gentleman. I told him you were coming home from Boston to-day, and I asked him to call. Agnes. Mr. Watson Flint? Rose. Yes, darling. He has loved you for a long time, and he has talked about you to me, every time we have met, since you first went away. Agnes. Do you know where Bertie is ? Rose. Have you been very unhappy in Boston, dear? {Both cross and sit on sofa, L.) Agnes. I ought to have been happy, our dear old aunts in Charlestown were so kind. Rose. Some of your letters to me were very sad. Agnes. How did Bertie happen to miss the steamer this morning ? You said he was going to Europe to stay six months, in the same letter that you said that I might come back from Boston, Rose. I will be perfectly frank with you, Agnes. I did not wish you and Bertie to meet again. Agnes. You have always been my mother, dear ; the only mother I ever knew, and I know that my happiness is nearer to your heart than your owh. After you told me that Bertie was so — so very wicked — I — I wouldn't have married him for the world. I am very glad you did send me away. {Turning her face away and touching her eyes.) Rose [crosses to table, r., and sits; Agnes comes c). I fear these eighteen months liave not cured her dear little lieart. Have / been as true to my first love as she ? {Look- ing at picture. ) {Enter Bertie down r. ; he stops r. c, as he sees Agnes.) Bertie. Agnes ! (She looks around, at him ivitha slight start, dropping her eyes. He steps foricard, extending his hand ; loithdraivs it, then extends it again, with another step towards her. She moves toivard him ivith downcast eyes and timid manner, laying her hand in his.) Thank you. I — I'm very glad to see you again ! Agnes. I — I'm sure, I'm — I Bertie. I heard yesterday morning that you were com- ing home to-day. {She suddenly unthdraivs her hand and runs to Rose, ivho rises, r. c.) Tliafs the reason I missed the steamer this morning. I tried to tell the coachman to 70 *• THE HENRIETTA." hurry, but I couldn't. (Walking L., puts hat on mantel and umbrella in corner.) {Enter Watson Flint up l. c. ; comes down c.) Flint. Agnes, I am delighted to see you again. {3Iov- ing down and taking her hand. ) Agnes. Thank you, Mr. Flint. Flint. I have come up from the office expressly to meet you. A lively day at the Exchange. (Looking across at Bertie, and still holding Agnes' hand.) Money at fif- teen per cent., and stocks going dow^n with a rattle. (To Agnes.) I have longed for tliis moment, Agnes, since you first left us. Rose. Agnes and I are going into the library. Won't you join us there ? Flint. With pleasure, but I have a little business mat- ter to talk over with Bertie. I'll be with you presently. (Rose inclines her head and goes r. loith Agnes. Agnes goes out R. Rose looks back at Flint, who joins Bertie, l.) Rose (aside). I am not quite sure that Watson woidd make a woman happy. (She takes the note from her bosom, opens it, and walks out down R., reading it.) Flint. I came up at once, as soon as I heard you missed the steamer. An unexpected turn in the market in your favor, as usual. I thought you would lose in that last venture, but you have a large profit. I little thought two years ago, Bertie, that you would be known to-day as the Young Napoleon of Wall Street. Any further orders? Bertie. Yes, A. T. and S. F. I think those are the let- ters — but I don't care much what portion of the alphabet you use. Flint (feels in all pockets for note-book and pencil ; finding no book, he uses l. cuff and makes memorandum on it). Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe. Bertie. Oh ! — that's it. I never have the remotest idea what any particular combination of letters means, but I've got tlie list by heart. Five thousand shares on the red (Flint looks at him in surprise.) I mean — at tliirty days. Flint. Current rates, I suppose. Buy or sell ? Bertie. I will consider. (He turns away, takes a coin from his pocket, and tosses it on his knee.) IBuy ! (Aside.) I am the Young Napoleon of Wall Street. Flint (during the following .speech he continues writ- ing on cuff, crosses r., and exits r. without looking up), I'll send down" the order at once by the telephone up- stairs ; then I'll join Agnes in the library. (Going R., aside. ) How I love tliat girl ! Six hundred and twenty- five dollars more to us. (Exit down R.) " THE HENRIETTA." 71 Bertie. If the right side of that fifty-cent piece con- tinues to turn up, I shall be a Wall Street giant. ( Walking R.) Heigho ! (Siglis.) I always win ; it's getting monot- onous. The old proverb is true, " Unlucky in love, lucky at cards." {Looking at the picture on the table.) {Enter Dr. Parke Wainwright up l. c. ; he walks down and stands a second, looking over Bertie's shoidder.) Wainwright. You are looking at your brother's pic- ture, Bertie. Bertie {looking u}!) . Doctor! Wainwright. I know what you are thinking about. Agnes has returned. Bertie. Yes. WAtN WRIGHT. And his crime still keeps you apart. I am the only man living who could clear your character and make you both happy. Bertie {takes the Doctor's hand). You have told me from the first that you would do so at any niioment if I asked you. Wainwright. I should be bound in justice to do that. Bertie. I do not ask j^ou. {Drops Doctor's hand.) Wainwright. I am grateful to you for that, Bertie — it would pain lier too deeply. Bertie. When Brother Nicholas died a black curtain was drawn over it all. Perhaps things will come right some day ; but I can't open his grave, it would be too hor- rible. You have come to see Rose. Wainwright. Yes. Bertie. I will go. I don't think it is a case which re- quires a consultation of physicians. 1 will go. {Walk- ing up stage. Exit up l. c. ) Wainw^right. His memory stands between them like a solid wall. {Looking at the picture.) His sacred mem- ory ! The mere shadow of treachery and deceit. ( Walk- ing L. ) {Enter Rose down r. Her eyes are drooped and her hands folded. He turns and looks at her. TJiey bow to each other gravely.) Rose. Dr. Wainwright ! Wainwright. I wrote to you less than half an hour ago, but I could not wait for your reply. Rose. I — I — was just writing a note to you when the servant brought me M'ord that you wislied to see me. Wainwright. Forgive my impatience ! What was j^our answer ? 72 " THE HENRIETTA." Rose. I — I began — and tore it up— half a dozen times. Wainwright. *' Yes ? " — or " No ? " Rose. 1 forget whicJi the last one was. Wainwright. Ah ! {Springing towards her. She star-ts. ) Rose. I mean Wainwright. You mean "yes." I will give you no time to change it again. Rose. Oh, I have misled you. I did not intend to say what I did. I have hesitated — but I — I (Sees t J lc pic- ture. ) Wainwright. Rose ! Rose {quietly). Dr. Wainwright ! Wainwright. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Vanalstyne. Rose. You may call me " Rose." We have been such sincere friends, and for so long a time. You seem like one of the family. Wainwright. Heigho! {Sighing.) I have received your answer. Rose. I told you I tore them all up. Wainwright. You were hesitating only to find the kindest words for a refusal ; but we cannot be merely friends any longer. Rose. You will come to see me — to see us all — as here- tofore ? Wainwright. If you are in pain or danger, Rose, {taking her hand gently in his) 1 will still be at your side. {Looking into her eyes.) I shall count my skill as jiothing, except when it brings relief to you. Tliat is all I have valued it for in the past. My only prayer to heaven for myself is this : " When the inevitable time comes at last, that a pliysician's skill is useless, I pray that anotlier may be at your bedside and I in the grave." {Starts to go ; then more lightly.) In the meantime, I hope 3^ou will not need my .services often, but when you do, send for me. {Presses her hand gently and goes up stage. She ivatches him and checks him ivith an " Ah ! " He stops up L. c. near door, looking hack.) Rose. You are not leaving so soon? Don't go, please — just now. I — I'm not feeling very well this afternoon. {Crosses to L. She drops upon a sofa quickly, turning her face away and looking doivn. He ivalks down and leans upon the back of sofa, looking down at her ivith a smile.) Wainwright. What are your symptoms ? Rose. I — I hardly know. I — I have never felt exactly like this before. {Drop)S her head.) Wainwright. Is your heart beating regularly? {Takes her hand.) Rose. Perhaps it is my heart ; it hasn't been beating quite regularly since — since " THE HENRIETTA." 73 Wainwright. Since you have been in such distressing doubt as to how you should answer my note ? Rose. For the last twenty minutes or so. Wainwright. Your hand is warm. {Raising it in his own.) A trifle feverish, perhaps. Let me see your face. {She looks up at him, her hand still resting in his.) Your eyes look strange to me. No — not strange ; for they re- mind me of the eyes that looked into mine six years ago, <;>n the day we first met. Do you wonder, Rose, that I learned to love the sweet young girl I met so often in her rounds of charity, or that I love lier now? Rose. The poor people all told me how generous and kind you were to them. Wainwright. My charity was a selfish one, I fear ; I visited those that you did twice as often as the rest. Rose {turning back her head, looking up at him, and placiyig her other, hand on his). You have loved me so long? Wainwright. With a love that is all the stronger be- cause — because it was once hopeless. Oh, the agony I suffered when I first saw those ej^es turn with' love upon another ! {Removing her hands from his quickly, she starts, sitting upright and looking before her.) Rose. Leave me ! leave me ! They shall not turn away from him now. {Dropping her face into her hands, iveep- ing and rising ; icalks r.) Wainwright. Your love is mine. Rose — not his! Mine by right! {Passionately moving doum r.) I loved you before he saw you, and when he gained your heart I suf- fered in silence. I bore the torture for months and years. I saved him from death, that you might not suffer as I had. But heaven itself decreed that you should be free ; that you should return at last my long-tried love. You are mine, Rose — mine ! Rose. No, no, no ! I will not forget him — I cannot ! ( Dropping on chair. ) Wainwright {almost fiercely). His memory shall not stand between us. I will tell you the truth — the whole truth. {She looks up at him suddenly.) That man to whom you gave your spotless life ; that man to whom you brought the perfect faith of a young girl ; that {She lias risen to her feet and is looking at him in amazement. He stoj^s abruptly, looks into her eyes, and moves back a step.) What w^as I about to do ? What have I been say- ing ? I'm dreaming ! I am wild ! My words mean notli- ing — nothing! Cling to your memories, Rose; tliey are tender and pure, like the heart in which they grow. If a new love for me cannot grow among them, let it die. {Starts to go.) 74 " THE HENRIETTA." {Enter Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke up l. c. in carriage dress and a cloak ; comes to c.) Cornelia. Oli, I beg your pardon ! Rose {turns to her quickly). Cornelia! Cornelia. Sorr}-^ to interrupt you, but I must have a few moments' conversation with you, Rose — in private. Doctor {She comes doicn c.) Wainwright. I have just finished my own call. {Boiv- ing to Rose, she returns it. He turns up stage.) Cornelia. Don't leave the house just yet. I shall have something to say to you also. I'll meet you in the— the little pink room at the end of the hall. Wainwright. I will wait for you. {Bows and exits l.) Cornelia {stands c, looking off after Doctor). Rose — I should be in love with that man, if you weren't. Rose. What nonsense, Cornelia. Cornelia. Not a bit of it ; I really should. {Comes down c.) My dear, I am a pauper ! Rose. What ! Cornelia. I have lost my entire fortune. Rose. Oh ! Cornelia. Your father-in-law, Mr. Nicholas Vanal- styne, was the man that did it. It's what he calls " a turn in the street." I call it highway robbery in the street. My agent informs me this morning that the railway stock I bought of Mr. Vanalstyne, a year and a half ago, isn't worth a penny. Rose. My dear! (Crosses if o Cornelia.) Cornelia. I haven't a penny in the world ; that is — there are a few pennies lying loose on my dressing table and a few thousand dollars in the bank. I owe that to my dressmaker. But that isn't what I came to see you about. It's quite a different matter. (Rose crosses. Sitting on sofa l. c. ; Rose si^s r. on sofa. ) I've brought a little package of dynamite with me. {Rose starts .^lightly. Cornelia fa ^'es a small j)acket from her bosom.) Here it is. I'm going to explode it — right here — now I Rose. Dynamite ! Cornelia. One doesn't like to interfere in family mat- ters, you know ; otherwise, I should have taken the roof oif this house long ago, I have hesitated ; and this little packet of nitro-glycerine has lain all this time, in one of my jewel caskets. But when you told me, this morning, tluit Agnes was to come back to-day, and Mr. Watson Flint ^vas still anxious to marry hor, and Bertie was going to P^iirope, only he missed the steamer — and I do believe he (lid it on purpose— I took this little bundle of gun-cotton out of my dressing case, as soon as I got home. " Now is your time to go off," said I. " THE HENRIETTA." 75 Rose. Cornelia, what are you talking about ? Cornelia. You are in love with Dr. Wainwright. Rose. As I have told you before, Cornelia ( Turns away. ) Cornelia. — It is nonsense. Of course it is — and very delightful nonsense, too. I've seen it coming on gradually for the last six months. I've been waiting for it. Rose. I will not allow {rises) you to speak so flip- pantly on a subject wliich ought to be sacred, even to you. No, Cornelia, I am still true — I shall always be true — to Jiis memory. {Crosses to table R. , looking at jncture. Corne- lia rises, folloivs her c. and remains up c. ; bursts into hearty laughter. Rose looks at her, startled and shocked.) Cornelia. True to his memory ! {Points to jncture.) Rose. Cornelia, this is horrible ! You are cruel — heart- less ! It is sacrilege ! Cornelia. True to that miserable traitor and lying knave! {Pointing at the jmture.) False alike to his father, to his brother, and to his wife ! Rose. I will not listen to you — I will not believe you. Cornelia. No! Listen to /iz'm ; — believe your own eyes. Do you remember, one night — I was visiting here, and happened to be looking over the railing, up there — you ac- cused your husband's younger brother of ruining and de- serting a woman who loved him ? You gave him a packet of letters, that had been written to her by her lover and you asked him if he recognized the handwriting. {She ojyens the XKicket, folding back the tissue paper covering de- liberately and revealing a charred, half -burnt packet of letters. Extends it toivard Rose. ) Do you recognize the handwriting ? (Rose takes letters, still looking at Corne- lia, turns face to audience, then looks at letters sloivly, starts, exclaims "Ah !" drops letters at her feet, falls in chair, head on arm, sobbing on table. ) I picked that out of the fire, where Bertie had thrown it. I thought things were not quite as they appeared to be. I knew both of the brothers so well. Rose. Cornelia ! Cornelia ! {Rises, dropping her head on Cornelia's shoidder arid weeping. Cornelia pats her gently. ) Cornelia. Let the tears flow, my darling. {Aside.) They'll soon wash out all there is left of his memory in her heart. Rose. I am ill, Cornelia ! I am ill ! Cornelia. Yes, my dear ! Shall I call Dr. Wainwright ? Rose {star-ting up, moving r). Oh, don't do that I Cornelia. I'll send the Doctor to you. Rose. Not for the world. Cornelia. I'll send him away. r, " THE HENRIETTA. 40 ^ Rose. O, no ! You — you needn't do that. {Goes R. looks around at Cornelia. Exits rajndly.) Cornelia {calling after her and laughing heart ilij). He's in the little pink room, at the end of the hall. I'll tell the Doctor to wait there till she comes to him for profes- sional advice ; but I must clear things up. {Seeing the charred letters on the floor, she picks them up and lays them on the table, then draws the photograph from the frame, tears it up. 2:>lacing the pieces on the pile, crosses aud throws the whole into the fire L. ; her eyes catch a pho- tograph on the manteL she takes it in her hands.) What an excellent likeness of Dr. Wainwright. {She starts to re- turn picture to mantel, looks across at empty frarne, then decidedly she recrosses and places it in the empty frame.) My dynamite explosion has cleared the atmosphere. Now, for the Doctor. I will send him to her. {She goes up c. Nicholas Vanalstyne ivalks in down r. He stops n., see- ing her.) Vanalstyne. Ahem! {She stops up l. c. ; he hows.) Mrs. Opdyke ! Cornelia {turns on him savagely). Monster! Rob- ber ! I will see you again presently. {Sweeps out up L. c.) Vanalstyne {whistling .^ioftly). The recent earthquake in Wall Street has been brought to her attention. This is my last deal, but it's a lively one. The Fourth of July of our forefathers was painfully quiet to what this celebra- tion will be. It has cost me twelve hundred thousand dollars so far to ruin the Louisville and West Tennessee Railway Company. But I'm certain the parson will back out as soon as he knows that Mrs. Opdyke has lost her fortune. She's been flirting with him ever since I let her drop on the floor that day instead of catching her in my arms. I've worn out the boiler of my fastest trotting horse — I mean of my steam yacht — and ruined my best trotter, trying to reconcile her. It's no use. {Sitting on .'iofa L. c.) I've had to wreck that railway company after all. A woman never forgives a man for not hugging her when she expects him to. {Enter Musgrave up l. c. with inventory. Comes down c. to Vanalstyne. ) Mtjsgrave. I've been over the books of the company and made all the necessary inquiries, Mr. Vanalstyne. Vanalstyne. M— m ! Well ? How many widows and orphans and helpless people generally have been struck by the failure of tliis company? {Aside.) I can't let them suffer, because I happen to be in love with a woman. Musgrave {hands inventory to Vanalstyne, who looks " THE HENRIETTA." 77 it over.) The whole amount of stock held by such peo- ple, or in trust for them, is a little over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, sir. Vanalstyne. Put 'em all down ! (Handing him the schedule. Aside.) By jove ! — widows aren't quoted at any such price in the market ; but I want this particular widow, and I'm bidding against the church militant. (Aloud. ) Did you get those bonds for me ? MusGRAVE. Yes, sir. (Taking bonds from pocket.) Vanalstyne. Give them to me. MusQRAVE (giving bonds), Mr. Bertie's last operation is a success, sir — like all the rest. Vanalstyne. Yes ; I'm proud of him. MusGRAVE. He has a wonderful head for finance — a genius, sir! (Walks R.) Great brains !— great brains! (Exit down R.) Vanalstyne. Bertie is his father's own boy. I shall retire from business permanently and leave a worthy suc- cessor — after this little operation. (Enter the Rev. Dr. Murray Hilton up l. c.) Hilton, Mr. Vanalstyne is here, James (looking back as he enters; comes down.) My dear and worthy friend. (Extends hand effusively.) Vanalstyne. Good morning, Hilton ! (Rising and 'placing the bonds in his pocket.) I was just thinking of you. How are you getting on with Mrs. Opdyke ? Hilton. With — Mrs. Opdyke. Vanalstyne. You want to marry her. Hilton. I did think at one time that you Vanalstyne. She refused me. , Hilton. My dear friend ! (Grasping his hand.) The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away ; but all things are for the best. I am convinced Mrs. Opdyke loves me, and your frankness reassures me. Our happy relations as sheplierd and — and Vanalstyne. Lamb — (aside) — with a fleece. (Aloud.) I'm rather old mutton, Doctor. But, go on ! Hilton. Our happy relations have led me to hesitate somewhat in expressing my feelings to the lady. But — I will be as frank with you as you have been with me — I have also hesitated for — for another reason. Vanalstyne. Can I give you a pointer ? Hilton. You can, and no one but you could do it. I have made inquiries elsewliere in vain. Do you happen to know the — the actual amount of our dear sister's — of — the amount of her worldly possessions? Vanalstyne. Mrs. Opdyke gave me a check about J 7g " THE HENRIETTA." eighteen montlis ago for three hundred and sixteen thou- sand dollars in exchange for railway shares drawing ten per cent, dividends, Hilton. At par? Vanalstyne. At par. {Walkings.) Hilton. Ten per cent. ! Something over thirty thou- sand dollars a year. {Aside.) I will hesitate no longer. My duty calls me, I will obey. {Enter Mrs. Opdyke up L. c. ; comes down c. and'L.) She is here {Bows.) Mrs. Opdyke ! Cornelia. Dr. Hilton ! Vanalstyne. I believe you wish to speak with me, madam {walking up) on matters of business. Cornelia {coldly) . I do, sir. Vanalstyne. I will see you again, presently. {Imitat- ing her previous exit, exits up stejis and through conserva- tory up R. c. ) Cornelia. The wretch ! {Crossing angrily, walking down R. ) Hilton. Cornelia ! I trust that — that I may call you J)y that name hereafter. Indeed, I hope that I may call you by no other. I have just learned — that is — I— I Cornelia. You have learned the truth ? Hilton. I have learned what my true feelings are, and I cannot restrain them any longer. You know — you know that I love j^ou. {Taking her hands.) Cornelia. Ah, Dr. Hilton, I feel now how deeply I have wronged you. I thought you were like some of the others who have sought my hand — that you were inter- ested in my fortune. Hilton. Cornelia, how could you ! Cornelia. But you have come to me at a time when I have lost it all. Hilton. I beg your pardon. What ! Cornelia {aside). So, so, a study in natural history. I'll watch a crab walk backwards. {Aloud.) I have lost every penny of my fortune, but it only proves how sin- cerely you love me. My hand is yours. Hilton. Believe me, madam — I {She advances toward him, her hand still extended. Same business for Hilton. Y an ai^sty^k apjjears in conservatory.) I assure you, Mrs. Opdyke — that while I — while I {She again advances. Hilton looks at her hand as before, gasps and retreats to door up L. Vanalstyne appears at conserva- tory, R., and coughs to attract attention.) Vanalstyne. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away ! (Cornelia bursts into laughter and walks downh.) Wouldn't you like some stock in the Louisville and Hilton. No! You are utterly nbscirbed in worldl}^ interests. I will return to my study and write a sermon. ♦' THE HENRIETTA." 79 (Cornelia steps toward Hilton third time. Hilton gasps.) No! (Exits.) Cornelia. I'll hear that sermon. I'm sure he'll bring tears to my eyes. He certainly has to-day. ( Wijnng her eyes and. dropping upon the sofa.) Vanalstyne (aside). N(jw, it's my turn. (On the steps. Aloud, coining down steps.) My dear Mrs. Opdyke Cornelia. Sir ! (Turning towards him savagely. He stops c. with a start.) Vanalstyne (aside). I'd as soon offer myself to a lioness in Central Africa that hadn't dined for a week. (Aloud.) One day, some months ago— the day you bought some rail- way shares of me Cornelia (fiercely). Well, sir! Vanalstyne (starting, then aside). I'm afraid she'll accept me in about the same way the lioness would. (Aloud. ) I asked you on that day — I — I asked you to be my wife. Cornelia (angrily). You did, sir ! Vanalstyne (starting). I — see you remember the cir- cumstance. Cornelia. Distinctly. Vanalstyne (aside). She'll never forgive me for let- ting her tumble. (Aloud.) That was an accident, madam. Cornelia (rising, angrily). We need not recall the incident. Vanalstyne. Of course, I ought to have been there, when you — but you know — there was such a terrific fall — I mean, things went down so suddenly — that is— I would say — there was so much on the floor— the — so much on the floor of the Stock Exchange calling for my attention, that — well ! — I ought to have been there when you fell into my arms, but I wasn't. We'll let that drop. Cornelia. Sir ! (Angrily. ) Vanalstyne. What I wanted to say to you was this : I loved you then, and I loved you before, and I've loved you ever since. I ruined your fortune on pnrpose (she starts) to wipe out the parson. Will you marry me ? Cornelia (aside). He shall not compel me to be his wife tlirough my poverty. (Aloud, icalking R.) I will not marry you. Vanalstyne (looking doivn and blinking his eyes) . Is that your final answer, Cornelia? Cornelia. It is my answer. Vanalstyne (sighing) My last deal is a failure. I — prepared myself for it. (Taking bonds from his pocket.) I did not intend to rob you. (She turns to him. ) Here are some bonds tliat cover the entire amount that I took from you. (Going to her and extending his hand with the pack- age. She looks at it, then at him.) 80 '' THE HENRIETTA." Cornelia. Keep the bonds — and take me. Vanalstyne. Eh? (Throiving the package over his shoulder.) Cornelia (falling back) . Be sure you're there tliis time. (He catches her inJiis ar)ns, brings Iter head to his breast, and is kisting her as Bertie enters vj) l. c. ) Bertie. Father, what are you doing? (Vanalstyne looks up, still holding Cornelia as if in a vise. She strug- gles to release herself. ) Vanalstyne (turns to Bertie, who comes doum). If you don't know what I'm doing, the sooner j^ou learn the better. (Cornelia frees herself, starting to her feet and catching her breath.) Cornelia. He — he was there. I've been in the paws of a lion. Vanalstyne. That one kiss was worth every dollar it cost me. All the others will be laofit, Cornelia ! ( Extend- ing his hand. She puts her own into it timidly.) Oh, I've only just begun. (He leads her vp R, c, and shows her up the steps ; looks at Bertie, pointing to the jmckage on the floor.) Young man ! There's a wedding present for you. (Goes up steps, following Cornelia. They disax)pear in conservatory. Bertie picks up the package and stands looking at it up L. c. Agnes runs in down R. ; stops and looks at him.) Bertie. A wedding present. (Sighs; looks up.) Agnes ! Agnes. Rose says it was all a terrible mistake, Bertie, and we may Bertie. My darling ! (Throws package of bonds on sofa, hurrying down to her. She ijuts up her hands, check- ing him.) Agnes. Rose says it's all right— but — /want to know about all those Henriettas. Bertie. Oli ! Henrietta is the name of a corporation. Agnes. Whicli of 'em is the corporation — tlie ballet- dancer, the chestnut filly, or the witch ? Bertie (both sit on sofa, Agnes r., Bertie l.). I will explain. You see — the — the corpoiation — it — it isn't the ballet dancer ; neither is tlie filly ; she isn't the corpora- tion either and the witch isn't, any of them — it's this way ; the filly is one Henrietta — and so is the corpomtion ; and the ballet girl, too; but the AVitch of Wnll Street— isn't. She's somebody else — also. Agnes !— I confessed to you at the ver}^ first, that I was as innocent as a new-born lamb, and you said you loved me in spite of it. I don't know anything more about Henrietta tlian you do and I never did. Agnes. That's all I want to know. I don't care who " THE HENRIETTA." 81 she is. {Resting her head quietly on his breast. Bertie drops his arm over her geritly.) Bertie. I've been thinking of you all by myself, ever since you went away, Agnes. I've been very lonely. Agnes. So have I. Bertie. Bertie. But I love you now more than I ever did before I had suffered so much. I would like to kiss you, please. (Agnes looks up, offers her cheek ; Bertie makes movement to kiss her, hesitates, then raises her hand to his lips and kisses it, saying — ) Thank you. Agnes (sadly). You're welcome ! (Slight pause— Agnes looks away.) Bertie. I would like to kiss you again. (Agnes draivs her hand aicay and offers her cheek — he kisses her.) Agnes (demurely). Thank you ! Bertie. Don't mention it. We have been separated so long, Agnes, I will kiss you several times. (He kisses her two or three times. Lady Mary enters in conservatory as he is doing so. She is htoking hack, stops at rail, sees Bertie.) Lady Mary. Bertie, what are you doing ? (Bertie and Agnes look up at her and cross l., his arm about Agnes.) Bertie. If you don't know what I'm doing, the sooner you learn, the better. Lady Mary. I just caught tlie governor ; we're going to have a new mother. (Comes down c, beckons r.) Como on, governor. Ha— ha— ha— ha ! Lovers all over the Jiouse. The market is booming. Enter Dr. Wainwright aiid Rose up l. Iler arm is in his and both are looking down demurely. There's another pair ! Where's Lord Arthur ? Enter Lord Arthur up l. c. ; he is in knickerbockers, etc., he strolls doicn to table R. c. after all are on. Lady Mary crosses to him and stands by table at back. Rose moves down to Bertie, l. Rose. Bertie! (Taking his hand.) J know you now. Bertie. Sister! (Crosses to her. She presses his hand, then kisses Agnes and returns to the Doctor, who meets her up c. Watson Flint enters doumR. : he sfojjs r. c. and looks at Bertie, ivho has his arm about Agnes' icaist ; Flint moves across to him.) Flint (firmly). Bertie! (Bertie turns round.) Have you any further orders for the Stock Exchange, to-day ? (Cuff' business as before.) Enter Vanalstyne and Mrs. Opdyke from conservatory. Bertie. Yes, the C. R. of N. J. Ten thousand shares. 6 J 82 •' THE HENRIETTA." Vanalstyne {with pride). The Young Napoleon of Wall Street. {Comes clown c. mid iratdies the following scene.) Flint. Buy or sell ? Bertie. I will consider. {Tosses coin on his Jcneeopenly. Vanalstyne starts forward, icatching him.) Sell. Vanalstyne. My son ! {Coming doum and crossing to Bertie. CoRi'iEi.i a comes down.) Flint. Twelve hundred and fifty dollars to us. {Goes to sofa L., picks up bonds, staiids at back of sofa, examin- ing bonds. ) Vanalstyne {to Bertie, l.). Is that your regular modus operandi on the street ? Bertie. That is the intellectual process, father. It takes brain to deal at the Stock Exchange. Vanalstyne. Let me congratulate you, young man. {Shakes hands. ) You have discoA^ered the system on which the leading financiers of this great country conduct their business interests. {Cro.'ises R., encounters Lord Arthur, looks at him and goes up c. to Cornelia. ) Lord Arthur. I've been in this country nearly two years and I still continue to surprise him. Dr. Wainwright {coming down c. u'ith right arm around Rose). The business interests of the country, these money transactions, these speculations in life and death, there are more sacred interests than those, and they lie deeper in our hearts. (Agnes and Bertie extreme l., Vanalstyne and Cornelia on steps of con.servatory r., Flint behind .sofa l. . Lord Arthur and Lady Mary at R. table. Wainwright and Rose c.) music. wedding march. quick curtain. \-^^ ^ ' OCT 9 1901 LIBRORY OF CONGRESS n 016 117 612 6 X