the gardener would have forwarded one from our conservatory; but you see how little I cared for it, when this did not occur to me.

Gerald-(Aside)-A country-seat! a treasure! [Aloud]-Miriam, my beautiful bracelet. Let me see it.

Ah, she is indeed dear, you have a [Takes it from her

arm.] What a superb diamond! and the setting is exquisitely chased. See how it glitters!

Miriam (Aside)-Cost just three dollars.

Gerald-(Aside)-If all her jewels are like this, we need not starve for some time.

Miriam-Will you excuse me a moment? I will go to my room for my cloak and hood, and then rejoin you. Gerald (Kissing her hand)—Every second is an hour till you return.

Miriam-Flatterer!

[Exit.]

Gerald (Sitting down, and sighing deeply)—-Poor girl, to what a fate I am dooming her! Yet, it is my last hope. If I remain here another day, I am lost; we must leave the city as soon as we are married, and her money will support us in Europe for some years—at least till I can return. Even now it may be too late. That last gold piece was my ruin, and the officers are in hot pursuit after me. No, I will not think of capture. Miriam, you are my only hope!

Miriam (Behind the scenes)-Good-night, mother! We will return early. [Enters.] Gerald-Dearest, are you ready? Now, love, we will start. Ah, Miriam, how my heart throbs with happiness at the prospect of our union!

Miriam―And I, too, am happy, dear Gerald, in the thought of our coming marriage.

[They start to go out, but are met at the door by MR. STAFF, a police officer.]

Mr. Staff-You cannot pass, sir.

Gerald-Villain!

Mr. Staff-Oh, you need n't call hard names. I have a friend within call if you are unruly. You must go with me.

Miriam-What does this mean?

Mr. Staff-Do not be alarmed, miss. We will make no disturbance. We only want this man.

Miriam-For what?

Mr. Staff-My orders are to arrest him, miss. He is at the head of a gang who make and pass counterfeit money. My orders are imperative. [To GERALD]—Are you ready, sir, to come with me?

Gerald (Hoarsely)-Yes; do your duty quickly. The game is up! Miriam, I am a villain, to have deceived you. [Coming forward, with MIRIAM.] I may own now, that I depended upon your money to take us out of the country. We might have been very happy had we escaped this fellow, for whatever else about me is false, my love for you is true. Will you not look at me, or say farewell?

Miriam-It is like some horrible dream. You, so elegant, so accomplished!

Gerald (Bitterly)—It is not always the most winning appearance or address that covers the best heart. I must go. We part kindly, Miriam, as friends?

Miriam (Aside)-What right have I to reproach him with deceit. [Aloud, giving him her hand]-Yes, Gerald, we (in a broken voice) part friends.

ready.

Gerald-Farewell, then, Miriam! Mr. Staff, I am [Exeunt GERALD and MR. STAFF.] Miriam―(Sinking upon a chair, and weeping)—Poor Gerald! Ah, in spite of his crimes, I love him. [Is silent for a moment.] Pshaw! I am getting sentimental! Let

him go! Yet-if he is so base, where can I look for real worth?

Enter MRS. DELORME.

Mrs. Delorme-This is a pretty business, truly! A man arrested in my house, as a counterfeiter. It makes me feel fairly sick.

Miriam-(Sadly)—It is a sad business.

Mrs. Delorme-He is the last man I should have suspected of such a thing. Such a perfect gentleman!

Mirium-Well, it ends my elopement, and prospects. We must now consider how we are to live. For my part, I am sick of this false show and glitter. We will take a small house, earn our living openly and honestly, and live as our means warrant.

Mrs. Delorme-It will ruin your prospects.

Miriam-Not so! I shall be less likely to be the victim of such a man as Gerald, if I live a more humble life. Where should we have been, if this arrest had not taken place? Each [bitterly] trusting to the other's fortune for support.

Enter MR. DUNN.

Mr. Dunn-Good-evening, ladies! I have called about some little accounts that have been put into my hands to be collected. [Shows a large pile of bills.] Mr. Flower, the baker, twenty-five dollars, fifty cents; Mr. Bull, the milkman, ten dollars, six cents; Mr. Smith, your dry goods merchant, two hundred and forty-seven dollars, twelve and a half cents: Mr.

Miriam-Enough! Do not read any more.

not able to pay these now.

We are

Mr. Dunn-Not able? Why, you are one blaze of jewelry!

Miriam―(Taking off some, and throwing it into the casket)—I am weary of all this pretence. My heart is sick with deceit and sorrow.

Mrs. Delorme-(Aside, sternly)-Be quiet, you silly girl! [Contemptuously]—Are you whining for the loss of your lover?

Miriam-(In a low, sad tone)—Perhaps I am. Would it be very strange?

If you and see

Mr. Dunn-I cannot stand here all night. have not the money, I will take this casket now, how far its contents will answer these demands. Mrs. Delorme-You are insolent, sir! Those jewels— Mr. Dunn-I will return all that are left. [Takes casket.] Good-evening, ladies! [Exit.]

Miriam-Another cheat! Another imposition! Mrs. Delorme-(Laughing)—He will not have much to return, I think.

Miriam-No; when the jewels are tested, he will find that you know the proverb?

Mrs. Delorme-I have forgotten.

Miriam-These ladies and gentlemen will tell you.

[Curtain falls.]

S. A. FROST, from the "Parlor Stage."

TABLEAU.

LISTENERS HEAR NO GOOD OF THEMSELVES.

THE

HE scene is a parlor.-In the foreground are two young girls, one of whom holds a miniature out to the other, who puts it aside, with an expression of angry contempt. The first girl is laughing heartily, and pointing her finger at the second, as if teasing her about the picture. Peeping out from behind a window-curtain is a young man, who, with an expression of perfect rage, is shaking his fist at the ladies in the foreground.

FROST'S DIALOGUES.

THE END.

T

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