Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 Excerpt:...severity). No wonder you were dismayed. I noticed the deception from the start. I didn't say anything because I wanted to see how far you would go! Perry (rises, goes up R.) It was a harmless fib. I'm going to get proposed to-morrow. Bloodgood (quickly). Don't you dare! 1 shall use all my influence to keep you out of it. Perry. I didn't think you'd take it that way father. Bloodgood. What right had you to think I'd take it any other way? You ought to be ashamed of yourself. (Take stage.) Masonry is built on truth--the least deception is foreign to the ethics of the order. (Swaggers down L.) Perry. All right--then I won't join, but for Heaven's sake don't tell mother, or she'll never lend me the $20,000. (Takes stage R.) Bloodgood (l.c.) Do you mean to imply, sir, that my wife holds the purse strings? You won't get the money now under any circumstances. Perry. But, my dear father Bloodgood (crosses to r.iJ I'm sick of this business--and don't you dare to apply for admission. (Loudly.) Do you hear, sir? Perry (sits down wearily). You are speaking loud enough. Bloodgood (quietly). That's all right. (loudly) Don't you dare! (Gets right to door, throws coat open conceitedly.) Am I a Mason? (Swaggers off.) (Exit B.IJ Perry (c.). I'll never tell the truth again. (Goes L. and round front of sofa to c.) (Enter Fisher quickly.) Fisher. Hello, Frank. Where's Annie? Perry. In there. Fisher. Couldn't I see her for a moment? Perry. No. The old lady is about. You got me into a nice hole. Fisher. I? How's that? Didn't you tell your wife you were a mason? Perry (up c.). I did--and so far so good--I got on swimmingly, but just then the Worshipful Master turned up with the whole family. Fisher (comes down r.c. laughing). I say, that is funny. (Sits and laughs r.cJ Perry. Don'...