PS 635 .Z9 M31545 Copy 1 PRICE 15 CENTS The Skv Riders Zl ^ SHOEMAKER & BEST SELECTIONS For Redwdings and Recitd^tions Nos. I to 27 Now iMued Paper Blading each oumbetf c • » 30 eonti Cloth •' •" •• • • 50 cent* Teachers, Readers, Students, and all persons who have had occasion to use books of this kind, concede this to be the best series of speakers published. The different numbers are compiled by leading elocution- ists of the country, who have exceptional facilities for securing selections, and whose judgment as to their merits is invaluable. No trouble or expense i? spared to obtain the very best readings and recitations, and much material is used by special arrangement with other publishers, thus securing the best selections from such American authors as Longfellow, Holmes, Whittier, Lowell, Emerson, Alice and Phoebe Gary, Mrs. Stowe, and many others. The foremost Eng- lish authors are also represented, as well as the leading French and German writers. This series was formerly called "The Elocution- ist's Annual," the first seventeen numbers being pub- lisjied under that title. ^ tWhile the primary purpose of these books is to supply the wants of the public reader and elocution- ist, nowhere else can be found such an attractive col- lection of interesting short stories for home reading. Sold by all booksellers and newsdealers, or mailed ijpon receipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 226 S. nth Street, Philadelphia The Sky Riders A Comedy in Three Acts BY Thomas L. Marble Author of "Won by Wireless," "Polly in Politics," Etc. PHILADELPHIA THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 1913 Copyright 1913 by The Penn Publishing Company ©CID 41035 JUN24I9I5 The Sky Riders CHARACTERS Algernon Gordon Brown . . an aviator by fiecessi/y. Horace Saunders . . a birdman of the same feather. Teddy Nixon a wire/ess operator. KOMA a Japa7iese servant. Mrs. Algernon Gordon Brown . . a sentimental wife. Helen Brown ] Juliana Brown | her daugnters. SYNOPSIS Act I. — The living-room of Algernon Gordon Brown's bungalow on the southern coast of California. Morning. *' Off for Honolulu." Act II. — The same. Sunrise next morning. '' The Wreck of the Aeroplane." Act III. — The same. The following morning. <* The Swallows Homeward Fly." Time in Representation : — Two hours. STORY OF THE PLAY Algernon Gordon Brown has come to California with his daughter, Juliana, to find a residence for Mrs. Brown. An aviator of precisely the same name is startling California with his daredevil feats. Mrs. Brown thinks the aviator is her husband, and with a second daughter, Helen, rushes west to join him. She arrives just when the real aviator is to make an air flight to Honolulu, and she has boasted so of her husband's supposed success that he cannot bear to dis- 4 STORY OF THE PLAY illusion her. Juliana keeps it up as a huge joke on her mother and sister. A young newspaper man, Saunders, and Teddy Nixon, a wireless operator, in love with the two sisters, are also in the plot. A Japanese servant, Koma, discovers the truth, but is silenced. I'hereal aviator begins his trip, Brown says good-bye to his wife and is supposed to be off for Honolulu, accompanied by Saunders, although they are really in hiding near by. Brown is nearly caught several times. When news comes of a disaster in mid-ocean, Mrs. Brown is prostrated. Helen sees her father and thinks he's a ghost. Ted, the wireless operator, gets timely news of a rescue. Brown and Saunders return triumphant. Mrs. Brown, proud and happy, promises never to mention avia- tion to her husband again, and the two love stories end happily. COSTUMES Brown. Act I. Business suit ; aviation costume on second entrance. An effective and humorous aviation suit may be made of brown *^ cambric" cotton, in one piece from neck to feet. The feet of the suit may cover the shoes, or heavy leather shoes laced high on the ankles may be worn. A cap, goggles and gauntlets complete the costume. Act II. Aviation costume. Act III. Motor costume. Saunders. Acts I and II. Business suit. Act III. Motor costume. Teddy. Acts I and II. White flannel suit. Act III. Motor costume. Koma. Dark green livery. Mrs. Brown and Helen. Appropriate summer gowns. Kimonos, first entrance in Act II. Juliana. Light summer gown. PROPERTIES A talking machine with numerous records ; parasol ; note for Koma; lighted cnndle ; white duck suit ; fan; wireless message ; long pencil and slip of paper ; newspapers. SCENE PLOT GARDEN BACK.ING OO '^ ^o V PALMS^ PALMS \. DOOK_R.2E LZE-OOOfO / ^''^"^ n ^ \ *- * ' CHAIRS *• OOOILR-IE CHAIBjS L IE DOOR- Scene. — Living-room in Brown's bungalow. Wide en- trance c, with garden backing, and palms each side of door. Entrances also r. and l., as indicated. Chair and sofa r., two chairs and table l., as shown. Two of the chairs should be light, of the same pattern, and should have straight backs. The room should be handsomely furnished. PUBLISHED FOR AMATEURS ONLY For professional rights address the au:hor, in care of the publishers, The Sky Riders ACT I Off for Honolulu SCENE. — Interior ^/Algernon Gordon Brown's bunga- low 071 the southern coast of Cal'iJor7iia. There are doors in the right and left walls of the scene, indicated in the stage directions as R. i E. a fid R. 2 E., L. i E. and l. 2 E. Large folding doors, located at C, back, stand open, revealing a luxuriant garden beyond. Table, chairs, etc. On the table are books, magazines, and a large palm- leaf fan. At either side of the foldi?ig doors there are potted palms, arranged with a view to the require- ments of the action in Act II. The roo??i is tastefully furnished. {Tlie curtain rises to the strains of a talking machifie, heard faintly in the distafice. If the record is available, ^^ La Taloma " is suggested as an appropriate selection. KoiMA is discovered standing in the open doorway, C, listening.') (^Enter Helen Brown, r. i e.) Helen {calling). Koma ! KoMA {co7nin^ forward obsequiously). Yaas, mees. Helen. Do you hear the music ? KoMA. I lisden, mees. Helen. Sounds like a talking machine, doesn't it ? Koma. I thing so, mees. Helen. Some one must be serenading us. Koma. Vaery likely, mees. (Koma returns to doorway afid looks off R.) 7 6 THE SKY RIDERS Helen. Ah, me ! — how disillusioning ! I fancied Cali- fornia was the land of tinkling mandolins and Spanish guitars. 1 find it as coldly scientific as the rest of the world. KoMA {poinlifig off r.). See, mees ! There's a man on the piazza of the red-roofed bungalow. Helen {tnovifig to doorzvay). The mechanical serenader, no doubt. KuMA. I thing he mek honorable music machine go — if thad whad you mean. (Helen turns in the doorway and looks off r. hi the direc- tion indicated by KoxMA. Suddenly she starts with surprise. ) Helen. Why ! I — I wonder who he can be. KoMA (^quickly). 1 go fin' oud, mees. Helen {affecting indifference). Oh, don't bother. I — I'm not at all curious. KoMA. No? All the same 1 go, mees. Helen. Well — if you insist. KoMA. Thang you, mees. (^Exit KoMA, c. Helen remains at the doorway gazing '>/'<■) Helen (rapturously'). Oh, if my eyes have not deceived me, it is he — my hero! {Listens to the 7?iusic.) "Oh, come to me ! " That's what my heart has been singing ever since we left the Overland Limited — and now he has come ! Oh, it's fate — I'm sure it is ! (^She opens 7vide her arms and utters a sigh of ecstasy. The music ceases.) {Enter Mrs. Algernon Gordon Brown, l. i e. ) IMrs. B. Why, Helen, what are you doing? Helen {slightly disconcerted). I ? Oh — er — just breath- ing in the perfume of the flowers — that's all. Mrs. B. {sniffing). The air is very fragrant this morn- ing. We're gomg to have a pleasant winter, I think. Helen {co?ni/ig dotvn stage). Of course ! The climate is simply glorious. It will do you a lot of good. Oh, I hope we'll never have to go back to that frozen old East THE SKY RIDERS 9 Mrs. B. California is delightful, certainly. Helen. Delightful? It's heavenly ! The limitless ocean ! — the azure sky ! Why, my soul takes wings at the very thought Mks. B. Just like your father, for all the world ! Helen. Yes, just like father. Mrs. B. What an intrepid spirit he has. And just to think, we used to think he was afraid of cats ! I'm afraid I never understood that man at all. To think he should go up in a balloon and Helen. Not a balloon, mother, an aeroplane. Mrs. B. Well, it's all the same, isn't it ? Helen {glad to show her knoiv ledge). Not at all. Mr. Saunders explained it to me. It's a — a biplane, or a hydro- plane, or something like that. Mrs. B. Well, there's some kind of a balloon in it, isn't there ? If there wasn't how could it stay up in the air ? Helen. Why, here, I'll show you — it's something like this. {She takes two light chairs and lays them ofi the floor, l., so that their backs point toward each other.) There. It has a frame something like that. The aviator sits here in the middle, and the wind pressure on the planes, here, you see Mrs. B. No, I don't see at all. I must get your father to show it to me at once. I'm afraid it's very dangerous. {The 77iiisic begins again.) Where's that music? Helen. Oh, mother, it's I think it's somebody serenading me. Mrs. B. Serenading you ! Well, upon my word. I must see about this. Who is it ? {Exit, c.) Helen {following her). Oh, mother, don't {Exit, c.) {Enter Brown, l. 2 e. He is reading; a neivspaper ; does not see the chairs, and falls over them, sprawling.) Brown {on the floor, rubbing his shin). Oh, ouch ! Who in the name of all that's bone-headed put those {Efiter Juliana Brown, c.) Juliana {laughing). Hello, dad ! Practicing how to fall without hurting yourself? {She comes down R.) 10 THE SKY RIDERS Brown. No, I ain't. I'm practicing how to live in a house full of darned fools and not lose my temper. {He walks about li?fipifig.) Juliana {suppressing a laugh). Well, dad, it's a fine thing to learn. The world's full of them, they say. {Slie crosses L., picks up cJiairs, and puts them in place.) Brown. Right you are, Julie. And I'm the biggest one of all, I guess. Juliana {comitig back to hint). Not quite, dad. Brown. Well, I don't know. Here's your mother and sister bitten with this aviation bug, and insisting I'm the daring aviator, Brown, who is doing all these hair-raising stunts, and I haven't denied it. Juliana. Well, if it tickles them Brown {grinning). That's just it, Julie. Of course I never in my life went up in anything more dangerous than an elevator, but it's been such fun to fool them for a little while that I've let them go on and make a hero of me. But they're making me feel silly, Julie. {Co7?ies down l.) Juliana. Oh, don't spoil the joke yet, dad. Hush, here they come. I'm going to skip. I'll be sure to laugh. Keep it up a while longer, dad. It's too rich. {Exit, R. 2 E.) {Eiiter Mrs. B. and Helen, c. They do not see Brown.) Mrs. B. But a talking machine, my dear ! Helen. Oh, mother, you don't understand. That's the poetic West. It uses the most prosaic things in such a big way. Brown. Eh! What's that? {They turn toward him.') Mrs. B. Oh, there's your father. Brown {rubbing his knee). What's left of him. What were you saying, Helen ? Helen. I was just telling mother that my soul takes wino^s at the thought of this great, boundless West. Mrs. B. And that, dear Algernon, is so like your own unfettered spirit — ever soaring above the limitations of time and space Brown {nervously looking around as though wishing to escape). Yes, yes ; I know. THE SKY RIDERS II Mrs. B. Oh, you're always deprecating your powers ! Helen. Aviators like you, father dear Mrs. B. {severely). Helen, I'm surprised ! There are no aviators like your father. Brown (Jialf aside). I guess that's right. Mrs. B. {coiitinui7ig). None so courageous, none so daring Brown. Come, come ; spare my blushes. Mrs. B. Such modesty ! Brown. You see, my dear, I've accomplished so very little. Mrs. B. Little ? Do you call the flight of the eagle ? Brown. Well, I'm not exactly a bird, I hope. Mrs. B. You fly as well. Brown. Nonsense! You're prejudiced. Really, I Helen. Now, daddy dear, you know that's what the papers said. Mrs. B. We were both so proud when we read it ! Brown. Oh, these Western chaps make a big noise. Helen. But we read about it in the Eastern papers. Brown. H'm ! So you did. Mrs. B. Up to that time, Algernon, I confess I had doubted your courage. Brown {as though deeply grieved). Alberta ! — how could you ? Mrs. B. I felt (oh, it shames me to admit it !) that you lacked initiative; that your heart quailed before those daring feats which have challenged the admiration of womankind since the days of knighthood and chivalry. Brown [reproachfully). You thought — that ! Mrs. B. 1 did, indeed. Can you ever forgive me? Brown Quag uajiimou sly). Well — I'll try. Helen. Why, we supposed your only object in coming to California was to seek a climate in which poor dear mamma might regain her wasted strength. Brown. That was my object, Helen. Mrs. B. One object — yes. But we were soon to learn that you had a greater, a more important mission to fulfil. Brown {effusively). Nothing could be more important than your welfare, my dear. Mrs. B. I'm deeply grateful to you for thinking so. Nevertheless, the advancement of science Brown. Oh, hang the advancement of science ! 12 THE SKY RIDERS Mrs. B. AVhy, Algernon ! Brown. Alberta, it's no use Helen {ivith eiithusiasiti). Oh, dad, I'll never forget the day the great news came ! 1 read it first in the morn- ing papers. Such a thrill as the head-lines gave us ! (Zb Mrs. B.) Do you recall what they said ? Mrs. B. 1 remember perfectly. " Daring feat of Al- gernon Gordon Brown ! Hero of the aviation meet at Los Angeles ! He flies upside down ! " Helen. The very words ! I gasped with astonishment as I read them. VVas this reckless adventurer my shy, home-loving papa? No; it must be a similarity of names. I read the detailed account. Your every characteristic was described to perfection. Even your antipathy to photo- graphs Mrs. B. In short, dear Algernon, our doubts were dis- pelled completely. Brown. H'm ! Didn't take much to dispel 'em. Mrs. B. Algernon, you surprise me ! Could there be any question that the newspapers leferred to you when they said: *'Mr. Brown's daring was equaled only by his modesty " ? Brown. Well, that was a clincher, I admit. Mrs. B. It certainly was. Helen. Next we read that you had rented a bungalow on the Pacific coast for the winter. Mrs. B. We waited no longer, but wired you we were flying straight to our new nest on the wings of the Overland Limited. Brown. Yes; and here you are ! — arrived last evening. Helen. Ah, what a triumphant journey it was ! Mrs. B. Yes, indeed ! We were the sensation of the hour. Helen. And how excited Mr. Saunders became when he learned that the great Algernon Gordon Brown was my own dear father ! Brown. Eh? What's that? Who the deuce is Mr. Saunders ? Mrs. B. a very estimable young journalist who crossed the continent with us. His attentions to Helen were— ^ marked. Helen {shyly). Mamma ! Mrs. B. Oh, everybody noticed it. THE SKY RIDERS 1 3 Helen (eagerly). Really ! Well, anyhow, he confided a great secret to me. Brown. He did, eh ? Helen. Yes — can't you guess what it is ? Brown {mystified^. 1? Why, what have I to do with his secrets ? Helen. Everything. Oh, dad, we know it all ! Brown. Oh, do you ? Helen. The paper that employs Mr. Saunders has sent him to California to accompany you on the great expedition. Brown. The — the what ? Helen {triumphantly). The aerial expedition to Hono- lulu. Brown (^gasping). To Ho-no-lu-lu ! Mrs. B. Certainly, dear. Don't act so innocent. Brown. Well, I — I hope you don't think I'm guilty. Mrs. B. No; but you've had a sort of hangdog look ever since we arrived. Helen (siveetly). Of course we understand the reason. Brown. You do ? Mrs. B. It isn't easy to tell a loving wife and child that you've decided to face the awful perils of sky and sea. Brown. That's so. Mrs. B. Ah, but you need worry no longer. We're only women — but we, too, can be brave. Brown. I know it. Helen. Why, we'd scorn to be motes in the sunshine of Progress. Brown {iiervously). Yes, yes — of course you would. Mrs. B. {graiuliloquently). Go, Algernon ! — go forth on triumphant pinions ! Brown (i-//^?;-//);). Do what? Surely you're not willing to have me cross the Pacific Ocean in — in a flying-machine? Mrs. B. (Jinperturbably). Oh, we're going to be per- fectly reasonable about it. Brown. I see you are. Helen. Women have buckled on the armor of their warriors since the world was young. Brown. Well, what do you take me for? — a flying Don Quixote? Mrs. B. {emphatically). You're the greatest aviator now livinsT. Brown {irritably). Huh ! I won't be living long if I 14 THE SKY RIDERS embark in that .tipsy air-ship. Then what will become of you? Mrs. B. Oh, we'll cuddle up here in the cozy little nest you've prepared for us — Helen and Juliana and I, — a mother bird and her fledgelings waiting the father bird's return. Brown (^grimly). Well, Papa Birdie'll have to be a duck if he ever gets across the ocean. Helen. Nonsense, dad ! You're going to win fame and fortune, and add lustre to the name of Brown. Brown. Oh, I'll be done brown all right. Mrs. B. Algernon, it's the chance of a lifetime. Brow^n. Yes — and the last chance, I reckon. Helen. Oh, aren't you just about happy enough to — to expire? Brown {sig7iificantly). Just about, thank you. Mrs. B. Mr. Saunders himself is an experienced aero- naut, you know — and he's going with you. Brown {dryly). Awfully kind of him, I'm sure. Helen (lumijig to Mrs. B.). Do you know, mamma, I think Mr. Saunders is already here. Mrs: B. Do you, really ? Helen. Yes. At least some one who looks strikingly like him was serenading us with a talking machine just now down there by the umbrella-trees. Brown {nervously). Well, I — I guess I'll interview him at once. There are — er — certain matters I ought to discuss with him. Mrs. B. Of course. Why, the expedition may set sail at any moment. Mr. Saunders said they only waited his arrival. (Brown moves toivard dooi'ivay, c.) Helen. Stop a bit, pa. (Brown /^//j I was closely to the exploding point with fear Brown (sharply). Don't be a fool. Mr. Brown's on his way to Honolulu. Koma (/-/>/;/,.). Ah, yaas ! Honorable wireless man so narrate, bud I had forgod to remember Brown (snappishly). Well, see that you don't forget again. I m in no humor to be trifled with. Koma (lightly). Then I bodder no more with trifles, sir. 27 28 THE SKY RIDERS Brown {fretfully). Since midnight I've been waiting out there in the garden for a sight of that amber hide of yours, KoMA {obsequiously). Thang you, sir. I have mooch regred Brown. You'd better. Why, you locked the place tighter 'n a drum. KoMA {resentfully). Is id nod my bees-ness to guard fair ladies well while honorable man-of-the-house trans- migrates to Honolulu ? Brown. Yes ; but honorable man-of-the-house must be back in Honolulu before daylight, so hustle. KoMA. VVhad are your august wishes, sir? Brown. There's a white duck suit of mine in the clothes- press at the end of the hall. Go get it. I'm just about sweltering in this — this bird-cage. KOiMA. Vaery well, sir. Brown. And by the way, just cut out this "to be or not to be" drivel. I'm not "congealing myself" so you'd notice it, and I don't want to hear any more dissertations about *' honorable liars." Understand ? KoMA. Yaas, sir ; I thing I oonderstand. Brown. Well, then, get busy. KoMA. Yaas, sir ; I will fly Brown {savagely). Here, here ! — none of that ! KoMA. Beg pardon, sir ! I mean I will procure the honorable garments with — ah — celebrity, sir. Brown. That's better. {Exit Koma, l. i e. Brown 7nops his face with handkerchief.) Whew ! {Enter Saunders cautiously, c.) SAVNDETts {in alou(lwhisj^er). Mr. Brown ! I say Mr. Brown ! Brown. Well, what the deuce ! Saunders. Excuse this intrusion, but Nixon's had an aerogram. There's been an accident. The air-ship is dis- abled Brown {excitedly). W-h-a-t ! Saunders {continuing). Wireless communication ceased in the middle of the message Brown. And you and 1 are supposed to be drowned, — is that it ? Saunders. Something very like it, I'm afraid. THE SKY RIDERS 29 Brown {imth resignatioii). Well, it doesn't surprise me. It's just another example of the luck that's pursued us from the start. 1 tell you, Saunders, I'm a fatalist. Saunders (^plaintively). But— but what can we do ? Brown. Do ? What is there left to do ? Saunders {dismally). Nothing, except to go jump into the ocean, I guess. If we're drowned we're drowned. Brown. Maybe you're right. I'here's no evading one's destiny, of course. And yet life looks mighty good to me. Saunders. Oh, I don't want to die either; but 1 simply can't face Mrs. Brown and Helen and tell them the truth. Brown. Well, I'm not pining for the job myself. Helen (outside, r.). Mamma ! Saunders. Hark ! — What's that ? Helen (as before). Are you awake? Saunders. Helen I Brown. The deuce ! Mrs. B. (off^.). Yes, dear. Brown. Quick ! Behind the palms. (Brown ^;/^ Saunders conceal themselves behind the palms, one on either side of the door.) (^Enter Mrs. B. and Helen, r. i e. Ihey wear kimonos.) Mrs. B. I haven't closed my eyes to-m'ght. Helen. Nor I, mother. Mrs. B. How Juliana can sleep so soundly passes my comprehension. Helen. She's dressing now. Of course she wants to be on hand to hear the messages. Mrs. B. Well, I'm glad she shows a little interest, even though it's only curiosity. Helen. Mr. Nixon is the real attraction, I'm afraid. Mrs. B. What !— that home-staying chatterbox? (Coti- temptuously.) Faugh ! {Both Mrs. B. and Helen are standing well to the front, their backs turned to the palms.) Helen. Aren't you a bit uncharitable, mother? Re- member Mr. Nixon is playing an important role in the expedition. Mrs. B. Yes, I suppose I am somewhat intolerant of timidity. Your father is so brave ! 30 THE SKY RIDERS (Brown steps out a bit from the palms ^ so that he is seen by the audience.^ Helen. And Horace, too ! (Saunders also appears to view?) Mrs. B. Certainly. Helen. But we mustn't forget, in our pride, that few men are so venturesome. Mrs. B. You're right, dear. Yet I admit it's hard for me to make allowance for those timorous natures that shrink from mighty deeds {turniii'^ toward the doorway with a sweeping gesture; Brown and Saunders scurry to cover) — hiding behind — er — each petty pretense Helen. Mr. Nixon managed Koma very cleverly. We should give him credit for that. Mrs. B. 1 do give him all possible credit for executive ability — and to show my appreciation, I'm going to invite him to breakfast with us this morning. By the way, 1 thought i heard Koma stirring a moment ago. Helen. 1 hope you did. If he's up, we'll have break- fast right away. Mrs. B. (^going to doorivay, c). As soon as Mr. Nixon comes. It's dayh'ght already. (Points.) See ! The horizon is tinged with red. Helen (at doonvay). Yes, — and somewhere out there in the azure infinitude father and — and Horace are riding. Mrs. B. {rapturously). Dauntless pioneers ! (Brown moves a little out from the doorway, as though to get further away from Mrs. B. He is again visible to the audience, though unseen by Mrs. B. or Helen. He is in a crouching position, his hands clenched nervously at his side, and in his eyes there is a strained, anxious look.) Why, I can see your father at this very moment, his hands grasping the levers firmly, his eyes fixed and peering into space. (BROWisr ed'^es still further away from the doorivay.) Now he sails out into the open places boldly. (She turns and conies do7vn stage slowly, as though beholding a vision. Helen follows her to front of stage. Brown dodges back belaud the palms.) Now he is hidden in a wilderness — of clouds. Helen. And Horace! (Saunders /^(fri- out from be- hind the palms cautiously) — Horace is at his side. THE SKY RIDERS 31 Mrs. B. Yes — close at hand to aid and sustain him. (^E?iter KoMA, l. i e. He carries a white duck suit folded neatly across his arm.) Helen. Ah, here is Koma. Mrs. B. Oh, good-morning, Koma. Koma (confused, and holding suit awkwardly). Goo- good- morning, ma'am. Helen (^indicating duck suit). A spick-and-span table- cloth ! That's fine ! Koma (jtammeri?ig). Ya-yaas, mees. Mrs. B. You anticipate our wishes, Koma. Helen. Telepathy, I suppose. Orientals are exceed- ingly psychic, you know. Koma (vacantly). Yaas, mees. Mrs. B. We were just planning an early breakfast Helen. And find you setting the table already ! it's quite remarkable. Koma (stutteri?ig). Bub— breakfast — yaas, yaas ! — I will prepare it vaery quick. Mrs. B. That's good of you, I'm sure. Helen. Oh, you're a perfect jewel, Koma. Koma. Thang you, mees. Helen. We'll be ready shortly. Mrs. B. (turning in doortvay, R. i E.). By the by, places for four, Koma. Mr. Nixon will be with us. He's going to read us the wireless messages that came last night. Koma. Vaery well, ma'am. (Exeunt Mrs. B. and Helen, r. 1 e.) (Brown and Saunders come forivard.) Saunders (jealously). So Mr. Teddy Nixon breakfasts with the family in state, while we BiiowN (interrupting). Gnaw our bones down under the umbrella-trees. Koma (to himself). Huh ! The woods are full of liddle birds this morning. Saunders (sarcastically'). It's a charming little arrange- ment, isn't it? Brown (emphatically). It's fate — that's what it is. Saunders. Nonsense ! Shakespeare says there is a tide in the affairs of man 32 THE SKY RIDERS Brown {griffily). Well, I hope the tide will keep Mr. Algernon Gordon 13ro\vn afloat till succor conies. Saunders. Oh, we're the suckers all right. Brown. We won't be if Brown gets home alive. I'll borrow his glory — for domestic purposes strictly, and then you bet I'll rest on my laurels forever. Saunders. But Brown won't. He'll be sure to make another flight. Your wife will read about it, and where will you be then? You can't keep up this sort of thing always. Brown. Oh, quit ! Don't be so blamed logical. Jnst wait till I crawl into some civilized clothes, and we'll talk the matter over. KoMA. The clothes are here, sir. Brown {taking the suit). Thanks, Koma. {Hands him money.) Remember — mum's the word. Koma. 1 will nod forged, sir. Brown (to Saunders). Come, let's vamoose before it grows any lighter. Saunders. We'll have to keep close to the shrubbery. Brown. Huh ! Fancy a man's having to sneak out of his own home like a thief ! {Exeinii Brown a?id Saunders, stealthily, c.) Koma {gazing at 7n on ey). ''Mum's the word." Vaery well. 1 am like the honorable oyster : my mouth is shud. {Enter Juliana, r. 2 e.) Juliana {cheerily). Top o' the mornin', Koma! Koma. The tob of tlie morning to you, mees ! Juliana. Good ! You'll soon speak English like a native. Koma. Thang you, mees. Juliana. Do we breakfast early or late? Koma. Your modder say early, mees. Juliana. Oh, she's up, then? Koma. Yaas, mees — she leave the room joosd now. Juliana. And dad? What of him? Koma {exhibiting money^. Ah ! — " musn's the word." Juliana. Oh, I see ! But I'm in the secret, you know. Didn't Mr. Nixon explain ? Koma. He talk vaery mooch, mees. THE SKY RIDERS 33 Juliana. I know he does. But I understand about dad's hiding-place KoMA. Ha, ha, ha ! I thing you don' oonderstand all aboud id, mees. Juliana. Why, what's happened? KoMA. Well, I tell you, nnees. Juliana. That's right — do. KoMA. Your fadder was here one, two minute' ago Juliana (with surprise). Here ? KoMA. Yaas, mees. And when your modder and seester come in, he congeal himself there behind the palms. Juliana {laughing). He did ? — what a joke ! KoMA. Sure, mees. The other honorable birdman hide, too. Juliana. You mean Mr. Saunders ? KoMA. Yaas, mees. Juliana. Oh, this is rich ! KoMA. Vaery reech, mees. I wish you had been here to see. Juliana. I wish I had. KoMA. Ha, ha, ha ! Honorable bird feathers make your fadder vaery warm. Juliana. Bird feathers ? Oh, the aviator's costume. {Laughs.) Goon. KoMA. He send me to fetch his whide duck snid. When I come back, 1 fin' honorable bird has flown off to his nesd in the palm tree: your modder and seester are here. Juliana. Poor, startled dad ! KoMA. I carry the whide duck suid folded across my arm — so. {Illustrates.) No one suspeg'd. Your seester — ha, ha, ha ! — she thing it was honorable table-cloth. Ha, ha, ha ! Juliana {laughing). She did ? — how ridiculous! Ha, ha, ha ! {Both Juliana and Koma laugh hilariously.) {Enter Teddy, c.) Teddy {luatching Koma). Well, talk about your laugh- ing hyenas ! Juliana {gasping). Oh ! — oh, what an insult ! {She moves to r., haughtily.') 34 THE SKY RIDERS Teddy (c). For the love o' Mike ! I've done it now. {Approaches her warily.) Miss Juliana, I Juliana {frigidly). Miss Brown, if you please. {She turns her back upon him.') Teddy. Oh, I say ! 1 — I didn't mean you, Miss Brown, — truly I didn't. Why, I never even saw you. 1 was thinking of Koma. KoMA {indignantly). Huh ! You thing I look lek ugly hyena — whad ? (Teddy turns quickly to Koma, who stands at l. Juliana smiles merrily as soon as his back is turned.) Teddy {to Koma). No, no ; of course not. I was just trying to be funny; but you Japs haven't any sense of humor. {Hands him money.) Here. Now don't you see the joke? Koma {pocketing money). Yaas, id is vaery foonny — now. Teddy. Then beat it ! Understand ? Koma (i-/;//////^). Yaas. Bead id — skidoo — vamoose — fly away ! 1 oonderstand. I go prepare the breakfast. {Exit, L. 2 e.) (Teddy turns again to Juliana, zvho resumes her offended air.) Teddy {pleadingly). Miss Juliana — won't you forgive me ? — please ? Juliana. Oh, then there is something to forgive after all? Teddy {hastily). No — no; I don't mean that. Juliana {severely). Don't you? Teddy. Seems as though every blamed thing I tackle goes crossways this morning. Juliana. Indeed ! I'm one of the "blamed things,'* I suppose. Teddy. Hang it all ! You don't comprehend Juliana. Strange I shouldn't, you're so — diplomatic. Teddy. Oh, I know I'm just a big, blundering idiot Juliana. How self-discerning ! Teddy {co?itinuing). always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. THE SKY RIDERS 35 Juliana. Then why say anything at all ? Teddy. Because I want so much to say the right thing. (Si'gks prodigiously.) Juliana {smiling slyly). Is it as difficult as all that? Teddy. Well, I guess you wouldn't find it so easy — easy to choose only the politest words, I mean — if you'd been up all night listening to those uncanny voices flashed out of the darkness — Saunders at your elbow every second writing reams and reams of '< copy," and urging you to keep calling the air-ship off there in the sky. Why, I'm so dog tired Juliana {regretfully). Oh, I didn't understand ! Teddy {resolutely). 1 tell you the little veneer of hu- man polish wears mighty thin when you're right up against big, eternal forces that you can't fathom — forces like the wireless and — and that other voice — the still, small one — that keeps whispering, ** You've found her, you've found her, you've found her — the one best bet ! — the girl of all girls for you ! " Juliana. Why — why ! Teddy. Oh, 1 suppose I've said the wrong thing again. Juliana {falteritigly). I — I can't tell. I — 1 didn't realize you could be serious like — like that. Teddy. Thought I always had to play the clown, eh ? Juliana. No; only I — I've heard that — that little voice myself, and — and Teddy. Oh, Juliana ! — did — did it speak my name? Juliana {demurely). 1 — I'd rather not say. Teddy. Please ! Juliana. Why, I've known you only since yesterday. Teddy. Oh, time doesn't count. Juliana. Doesn't it ? Teddy. No — not in these days of aerograms and air- ships and motor cars. {Persistently.) Tell me, was it my name ? Juliana. Well, if — if you must know, I — I guess it was. Teddy. Then you care for me — ^just a little? Juliana {faintly). Y-e-s. Teddy. Hoo-ray ! We'll be married {Doubt- fully.) Will next week be too soon? Juliana. The idea ! {Shyly.) Why, perhaps mother won't consent to our — our marriage at all. 36 THE SKY RIDERS Teddy. That's so. She's awfully keen on these sky riding chaps, and I'm a perfect landlubber. Juliana (claspi?ig her hands ecstatically). Maybe we'll have to elope ! Teddy. Juliana ! Juliana. Teddy ! {E?iler KOMA, L. 2 E.) KoMA. Beg pardon, sir ! Did you call ? Teddy (smili/ig). Yes, but not for you. KoMA {^puzzled'). Nod for me? {^VVitk sudden en- lightenment.) Oh, I oonderstand. Teddy. Well, since you understand so much, I wish you'd amble down to the wireless station. You'll find my assistant there. Tell him to send me any messages he's re- ceived since I left. KoMA {Jiesitating). Bud breakfast, sir ? Teddy. It's early for breakfast, isn't it ? KoMA. Yaas, sir \ bud Juliana. Never mind, Koma. I'll look after the break- fast. You may go. Koma. Vaery well, mees. (^Exit, c.) Teddy. Oh, Juliana, I forgot to tell you, but we're in a dreadful mess. Juliana. Why, what's the matter ? Teddy. Matter ? That blasted sky boat has capsized. Juliana. Capsized ? Teddy. Yes, I'm afraid it has. Juliana. And the expedition ? Teddy. Twenty thousand leagues under the sea for all I know. Jui.iana. You don't mean ? Teddy. Oh, yes, 1 do. The air-ship's wireless apparatus played out before the message was finished. That indicates serious trouble, of course. Juliana {shuddering). My ! — this is dreadful ! Teddy. There's one hope, though. Juliana. And that ? Teddy. They may be able to keep afloat till the *' Japonica " reaches them. THE SKY RIDERS 37 Juliana. The " Japonica " ? Teddy. She's a steamship near by. I picked her up and got her answer before I went off duty. She's on her way to the rescue now. Juliana. Dear, dear ! The disaster itself is awful enough, but think how it complicates our — our little — er — escapade. Teddy. That's so. Your father can't come to life con- sistently — at least, not after the papers have consigned him to a watery grave. Juliana. Oh, we ought never to have deceived mother. I'm going to confess the truth to her at once. She'll be mortally offended Teddy. Better wait till Koma returns. Maybe the boat Juliana. No. (^Enter Mrs. B., r. i e. She stands near the door through which she has entered, unobserved by Juliana or Teddy.) Think how mother will feel to be told that dad is out there in the ocean clinging to the wreckage of the air-ship — immersed in the hungry waves — waiting for aid that may come too late. Why, if we tell her that, the shock may kill her. Mrs. B. {serenely). My dear, you have a strange opinion of your mother's fortitude. Juliana. Mother ! Teddy. Mrs. Brown ! Mrs. B. (^coming forward). Mr. Nixon, I gather from my daughter's conversation that you have received grave news. Teddy. Yes, I'm afraid it is a bit grave, Mrs. Brown. Mrs. B. I'm prepared for the worst. Proceed. Juliana. No, no, mother ! Listen to me Mrs. B. Juliana, be calm. I am waiting, Mr. Nixon. {Enter Helen, r. i e.) Teddy. Well, you see, Mrs. Brown, about two hours ago I got the distress signal from the air-ship Mrs, B. The distress signal? — ah ! Helen {excitedly). Mother, what has happened? Mrs. B. Helen, be brave ! Helen. Yes, yes — I'll try. Mrs. B. {to Teddy). Continue, Mr. Nixon. Teddy. As I was saying, they sent out the distress signal 38 THE SKY RIDERS from the aeroplane. We got into communication at once. It seems the motors were out of commission. Mrs. B. And that meant ? Teddy. That the air-ship must soon go down. Helen {wildly). Go down? — ah, no ! Mrs. B. Courage, Helen ! Juliana {impulsively). Mummy dear, I want Mrs. B. {to Teddy). Please relate all the particulars, Mr. Nixon. Teddy. There's not much more to tell, Mrs. Brown. The signals ceased very shortly. Naturally I surmised that the inevitable had occurred, and began sending out calls in every direction. Helen {inoving to doorway, c). Oh, you deceitful, treacherous sky ! Teddy {continuing). At last I caught the ** Japonica," informed her captain of the plight of the air-ship, gave him her probable bearings, and he's now steaming rapidly for- ward to the scene of the disaster. Mrs. B. Then there's hope after all. Teddy. Yes, indeed ! You mustn't feel disheartened. (Helen, who has been standing iii the doorway, c, a pathetic figure, gazing off in the directiofi 0/ the sky, now utters a piercing shriek.') Helen. Ah ! Great heavens ! What do I see? Juliana. What's the matter ? Helen {pointing off r.). Look ! — look ! Mrs. B. {hurrying to doorway and looking in the direc- tion i?idicated). Have you lost your senses, Helen ? I see nothing. Helen. It has disappeared through the door of the red- roofed bungalow. Mrs. B. What has disappeared ? Helen. The vision. The Others {at the doorivay). What vision ? Helen {tur7iing and coming down R., tragically). The vision of dad ! Juliana. Dad ? (Juliana moves to extreme l., a look of consternation on her face. Teddy folloivs her, and stands at her right. Mrs. B. comes down to left of Helen, who is at ex- treme R.) THE SKY RIDERS 39 Mrs. B. {to Helen). Are you crazy, child ? Helen. Ah, no ! I saw him — oh, so distinctly ! Teddy {sotto voce to Juliana). The jig is up. Mrs. B. {to Helen). Hush ! You're overwrought. You couldn't have seen Helen {positively^. Oh, but I did ! Teddy {^interposifi^). Nonsense! — how could you? Your father is miles away — off there in the Pacific. Juliana {aside'). What a whopper ! Mrs. B. {to Helen). And in imminent danger, too. Teddy {turning again to Juliana). That's right, any- how. Helen {to Mrs. B.). No, mother ; the danger is over. Mrs. B. Dearie, how strangely you're talking. Mr. Nixon had had no recent message. Helen {beginning to sob). Can't I bub-bub-believe the evidence of my senses ? Sometimes the d-d-dead come back to life, you know. The Others. The dead ! Helen {still sobbing). Sus-certainly. Horace and dud- dud-dad are through with tut-tut-tribulation. They have pup-pup-passed to the Great Beyond. Mrs. B. {horrified). Helen ! — what are you saying? Helen. Oh, 1 know what I'm sus-sus-saying. It was dud-dud-dad's wraith I saw. The Others. His wraith ! Helen. Yes. He was d-d-dressed all in whu-whu-whu- white ! Mrs. B. In white? Juliana {to Teddy). Good gracious ! — the duck suit ! Helen. He looked j-j-just like a gug-gug-gug -ghost ! Mrs. B. a ghost ! Teddy. Well, what do you know about that ! Mrs. B. {with agitation). Ah, Mr. Nixon ! — this way, if you please. I — I'm afraid — I — am — going — to — swoon ! (Helen and Teddy assist Mrs. B. to a chair. She gasps fai?itly, theft falls back ifito the chair nnconscions, her arms hanging limp at her side. Helen grasps her right hand, Juliana her left, each kneeling. Teddv stafids at left of chair. ) Teddy. She's fainted. A glass of water — quick ! 40 THE SKY RIDERS (Helen rises and goes out r. 2 e., siviftly. Teddy takes fan fr 0771 table, crosses to r., a7id fa 71s Mrs. B. vio/ent/y.) Juliana (on her kfiees). Mother, look at me ! Speak to me ! It's all a ghastly joke. I've been a wicked, wicked girl. And dad's been wicked, too. But Teddy Nixon's been wickedest of all. He made us pretend Teddy (^grimly). Spare your breath. She doesn't hear you. Juliana. Oh, what shall I do? Teddy (^fa7i7iing vigorously). Start the circulation. Juliana. Mummy dear, say you forgive me. {E7iter Helen, r. 2 e., with glass of water.) Helen. Here's the water. Teddy. Good ! That'll revive her. (Teddy ceases fa/uiing Mrs. B., crosses to l., and stands fantiing hunself.) Helen (^placing glass at Mrs. B.'s lips). Take just a swallow, dear. Juliana. Oh, Helen, we thought California would be such a splendid climate for mother's health, and now (^Enter Koma, C, with jnessage.) KOMA. A message for Meestar Nixon. Teddy {throwing aside thefa7i). At last ! {Takes message and reads it.) Juliana. A message ? Koma. Yaas, mees — oud of the honorable admosphere. (Mrs. B. shows sig7is of reviving.) Helen. See ! Mother is opening her eyes. Teddy {flourishing the message). Glory hallelujah ! They're safe. Juliana {rising). What ! Helen. You don't mean Horace and dad have been rescued ? Teddy. Surest thing in the world ! They'll be back to-morrow. Juliana. Hurrah ! THE SKY RIDERS 4I Teddy. I'll motor over to the docks and bring 'em home in triumph. Helen. Do you hear, mother ? Our heroes have been saved. Mrs. B. (somew/m^ dazed). What — what's that? Wasn't there any ghost after all ? Teddy. Not a bit of it ! Juliana. You see, Helen had a — a sort of hallucination. Mrs. B. (f'ising). You're not deceiving me? Helen. No. Koma has brought a message, haven't you, Koma? Koma. Yaas, mees. Mrs. B. And Algernon is actually alive ? Juliana. Yes, indeed, mummy ! And he's not very far away, either. Mrs. B. Not far away ? Teddy {interposing hastily). Relatively speaking, Mrs. Brown. She means it won't take him long to get back. Mrs. B. {wildly). Then he's still afloat out there on the shattered air-ship? Juliana. No, no, no ! You don't understand, mummy dear. Helen. He's really and truly safe. Teddy. And on board the "Japonica." (^Hands ?nes- sage to her.) See — here's the message. Mrs. B. (taking the uiessage and turning iozvard Koma). Tell me, Koma, this came by wireless ? — you're sure about it? Koma. Oh, vaery sure, ma'am. I saw id come. Mrs. B. Upon your honor? Koma. By all my ancestors, I swear id ! Mrs. B. Well, then, I suppose it must be so. But, after all, it's sad to think that Algernon has failed in his mighty task. {Reads message.) Helen. Failed — yes. But what a triumphant failure ! Mrs. B. {quickly). You think so? Teddy. Believe me, Pvlrs. Brown, the world will deem it a victory. Mrs. B. I hope so — oh, I hoi)e so ! Juliana. Why, it's just like Bunker Hill, mummy. Helen. Just exactly. 42 THE SKY RIDERS Juliana. Dad and Mr. Saunders will go down to history with the heroes of antiquity. Teddy. Hear, hear ! Juliana. They have conquered the heavens and risen from the sea. Teddy. Hurrah, hurrah ! Mks. B. Enough ! — I am convinced. Juliana. We must greet them in a fitting manner. Mrs. B. Most assuredly, {Tur?is toward Koma.) Koma. Koma. Yaas, ma'am. Mrs. B. Go to the city at once. Koma. I go, ma'am. Mrs. B. Purchase dozens of flags and yards of bunting. Decorate the bungalow with all the colors of the rainbow. To-morrow shall be a day of feasting and festivity. Our valiant sky riders are coming home. (Koma statids near doorway, c. Helen is at r., 7inth Mrs. B. on her left. Juliana is near c, and Ieddy «/L.) curtain ACT III The Swallows Homeward Fly SCENE. — The same as Act II, except that a large cabinet talkijig-machine has been placed at the right of the cefiter doorSy and the room has been decorated with flags, toy aeroplanes, balloo7is, etc. (As the curtain rises, Mrs. B. is discovered inspecting and readjusting the decorations. Juliana is ?iear the talk- i7ig-machine e?igaged in sorting out records. She has a long pencil and a slip of paper, and from time to time she jots down a title. The strains of the j?tachine are heard before the curtain rises, and the ?nusic continues for several bars after the curtain is tip. As the selection ejids, Juliana goes to the machine and stops the revolv- ing mechanis?ti.) Mrs. B. {sitti?ig, l.). Music wafts away the hours of waiting most pleasurably. Juliana. Bravo ! The immortal WiUiam couldn't have said it better. Mrs. B. My dear, it's not a question of rhetoric when the heart throbs with expectation. Music is most eloquent at such a time. Juliana. Even the cold storage brand becomes the " food of love " ; eh, mummy ? Mrs. B. Well, love is oftentimes — voracious. At any rate, it was thoughtful of Mr. Nixon to lend us his machine and his records. Juliana. Not so awfully thoughtful. (^Notichalantly.) I asked him for it. Mrs. B. {shocked). You asked him ? Juliana (jwdding). U'm-h'm. You see, mummy dear, you've set the stage so gorgeously for dad's triumphal en- trance, I thought we ought to have a little incidental music. Mrs. B. {despairingly). Juliana, will you never learn to be serious ? 43 44 THE SKY RIDERS Juliana. Oh, Tai tremendously serious now. I tell you it's no joke to make an appropriate selection. Mrs. B. {reproachfully^. Juliana ! Juliana {reading the title of one of the records). ' ' Come, Josephine, in my Flying-Machine ! " That's not so bad — if dad had been christened *' Josephine." [Enter Koma, c. He carries a pile of records.) Ah, here comes Koma with the rest of the records. Place them on the table, Koma. Koma {placing records on table). Yaas, mees. Juliana. 1 wonder if there's anything suitable here. {Takes a record from the pile and reads the title.) "The Palms." Dad surely ought to appreciate that; don't you think so, Koma? Koma. ''The Palms"? {Langhs.) Oh, yaas, yaas, I thing he 'preciade thad vaery mooch, mees. Ha, ha, ha ! " The Palms " ! Yaas — yaas ! Mrs. B. {reprovitigly). Koma, Pm surprised. Juliana. Ha, ha, ha ! Koma was surprised, too. Never mind, mummy. It's just a little joke 'twixt Koma and me. Koma. Yaas — ^joosd a Hddle joke, thad's all. Mrs. B. {with dignity). Pm glad you enjoy it. Juliana {still inspecting the records). Ah, here's a bit from '* The Flying Dutchman." Mrs. B. Well, 1 hope you don't call that appropriate. Juliana. No — dad's a regular dyed-in-the-wool Yankee, I must admit. Mrs. B. Mercy ! — such expressions ! (Koma starts to go out, c.) One moment, Koma. Koma {tiiriiing). Yaas, ma'am. Mrs. B. Did you place Mr. Brown's motor coat in the car as I directed ? Koma. He took id himself, ma'am. Mrs. B. He took ? Why, what do you mean ? Juliana {quickly). He means Teddy Nixon took it, mummy. Koma. Yaas — thad whad I mean. Meestar Nixon mek departure in honorable motor-car four — five hour' ago. He tek august automobile uniform for Meestar Brown and Meestar Saunders. They will come back dressed lek stylish chauffeur' — whad ? Mrs. B. Yes — and they ought to be here soon, if the <'Japonica" docked on time. THE SKY RIDERS 45 KoMA. I thing I hoarry 'way to garden and watch for them. Mrs. B. Very good. Let us know when the car comes in sight. KoMA. Yaas, ma'am. {Exit J c.) Juliana {faking up ajwther record^. Oh, mummy, look here ! This is the best yet. See ! '<• When the Swallows Homeward Fly." Mrs. B. {shaki?ig her head). Juliana, you're incorri- gible. Juliana. Indeed, I'm not ! Why, you yourself have declared that dad flies like a bird. I've heard you say so a hundred times in the past two days. Mrs. B. But I said it in all sincerity, dear. Juliana. Of course. Mrs. B. I'm not presumptuous enough to make light of your father's herculean endeavors. Juliana. Mercurial, mummy. I don't believe Hercules sprouted wings. Mrs. B. {in a tone of niijigled resigiiation and disgust). Oh, Juliana ! (Enter Helen hurriedly, c. She carries a newspaper in her hand.) Helen {calling). Mother, mother ! Mrs. B. Yes, dear, what is it ? Helen. Look ! They've printed an extra edition of the morning paper. And it's just filled with news of the expedition. Mrs. B. Really ! Helen. Yes — and, do you know, there's a splendid article written and signed by Horace himself. Juliana. Good for Horace ! Helen. See — here it is. Mrs. B. Where? Helen {indicating a column in the paper). Right there. Mrs. B. {faking the paper). Oh, what inky head-lines ! Juliana {looking over her shoulder). My ! — aren't they great ? Mrs. B. {scanning the paper). Why, I declare ! The *' Japonica " has lauded. 46 THE SKY RIDERS Helen. Yes, indeed — early this morning. Mrs. B. Then your father will be with us soon. Juliana. Oh, give him time to see the fun, mummy. Mrs. B. The fun ? Juliana. Certainly. The reporters will be eager to interview him. Helen. They've done that already. And Horace writes just as though he were one of them. Isn't he modest ? (Mrs. B. takes a chair ^ r., and peruses the paper.) Juliana. Oh, yes, he's modest all right — if that's what you call modesty. Helen. Well, I don't know what else you'd call it. He doesn't even hint that he himself has participated in the great adventure. Juliana (^quizzicaUy). I wonder why. Helen. Why ? — because he wants dad to have all the credit of the mighty achievement. Juliana. By ''mighty achievement " you mean the — ah — baptism in the Pacific, I suppose? Helen {indigiiantly). No ! I mean a whole half day's conquest of the recalcitrant sky. Juliana. Whew ! A whole half day ? Helen, aren't your mathematics a bit too figurative ? Helen. My dear Juliana, mathematics is just the place for figures. Juliana {jvith a sweepi?ig curtsy^. Right you are ! I beg your pardon. (Mrs. B., who, during the conversatio7i betiveen Juliana and Helen, has been seated at R., scaniiing the paper eagerly, now looks up.) Mrs. B. (excitedly). Oh, children, listen to this! Helen. Yes, mother, we're listening. Mrs. B. (^reading from the newspaper). " * I shall never attempt another flight,' said Mr. Brown, as he shyly with- drew from the gaping crowd. * Not that my zeal for avia- tion has abated — quite the contrary. But there are those whose rights I must respect — those who are near and dear to me. It is not fair to them to risk my life in such a pre- carious sport.' " THE SKY RIDERS 47 Helen. How truly nobJe ! Mrs. B. How superlatively unselfish ! Juliana. How tremendously lucky ! — for dad. Helen. What do you mean ? Juliana. Oh, nothing. {Sound of motor horn outside.') Mrs. B. Hark ! What's that ? Helen. It sounds like Juliana {at doorway, c). Here's Koma. {^Enter Koma, c.) YJdyik {with excitement). Hoarray! Hoarray ! They're coming ! They're coming ! Mrs. B. Where, where? Koma. Down the road and swift, too, joosd lek one beeg hoarricane. Helen. Oh, my heart flutters like a bird. Juliana. Now for the incidental music ! {She proceeds to adjust o?ie of the records in the talking' machine.') Mrs. B. (^looking out doorzvay, c). The car has stopped. See ! Your father is coming up the garden walk. Helen {at doorway). Yes, yes; and Horace is with him, Koma. Ah, but Meestar Teddy Nixon, he lead' the procession lek one vaery august general. Juliana {rapping o?i cabinet ivlth pencil). Attention, orchestra ! {Poises pencil like a baton.) Ready ! — play ! {The machine emits the strams of a spirited march. Juliana beats tune with the pencil.) {Enter Teddy, c. He wears motor dust-coat, gaunt- lets, etc.) Teddy {Impressively). Mrs. Brown, I have brought the sky wanderers safely home. Mrs. B. {fervently). Oh, thank you, Mr. Nixon- thank you. {Music should be softened or stopped here.) 48 THE SKY RIDERS Teddy. I have the honor to announce Mr. Horace Saunders, wielder of the pen and denizen of the stars ! {Enter Saunders, c. He wears auto coat^ etc.') Helen. Horace, my hero ! Saunders. Helen, my angel ! (They embrace.) Teddy. And now behold the invincible potentate of the clouds, the one and only Algernon Gordon Brown ! {Enter Brown, c. He wears motor costume.') Mrs. B. Algernon, my dear, dear husband ! Brown. Alberta, wife of my heart 1 {They embrace.) Juliana {to Koma). Kill the fatted calf, Koma. Teddy, Better kill two of 'em while you're about it, Koma. Koma. I nod oonderstand. No honorable calf in bun- galow. Teddy {dryly). Thanks. Juliana. We're speaking in parables, Koma. Just concoct your nicest lunch. The twin Prodigals have come home. Koma. Ah, yaas. I oonderstand now, mees. I will mek honorable speed. {Exiiy L. 2 E.) (Mrs. B. is at r., front, with Brown on her left. Helen is at L., fro fit, ivith Saunders on her right. Juliana and Teddy stand near the doorivay, c, back.) Mrs. B, Algernon, we were just reading about your magjnanimous decision. Brown {fnystified). My what? Helen. It was so like you, dad. Juliana {roguishly). So superbly altruistic ! Brown. Well, 1 — I'm afraid I don't quite catch your meaning. Saunders. I think they must be referring to the pledge we made each other, Mr. Brown — you remember — yesterday morning — out there in the Pacific — when death was staring us in the face. THE SKY RIDERS 49 Brown. Ah, yes ! — after the great air-ship had plunged downward into the sea like — er — like a wounded pigeon. Saunders. Exactly. Brown {turning to Mrs. B.). My dear, those were dreadful hours for Saunders and me, adrift on the tangled mass of wreckage. Saunders. Oh, I shudder to recall it ! Helen {sympathetically). Horace ! Brown {soaring eloquently). The waves were like the huge lapping tongues of Titans, mad to devour us ! Juliana {sweetly'). What were the wild waves saying, dad? Mrs. B. {severely). Juliana ! Brown. Many a time in the awful solemnity of those hours we grasped each other's hands in fond farewell — er— didn't we, Saunders? Saunders. True — too true ! Brown. The vision of our loved ones was ever before us, and we swore Juliana {nppareiitly shocked). Swore ! Teddy. With death staring you in the face ? Juliana {reprovingly). Oh, dad, how could you be pro- fane at such a time ? Brown {irritably). Who's talking about profanity ? I say we swore — resolved — vowed. There ! you've broken the thread of my story. Juliana {to Teddy). ''Story " is good. Brown. Saunders, what was it we vowed ? Saunders. Why — er — surely you remember. Brown. Well, you see, we made so many vows. Helen. Why, dad, we mean your determination never to take another flight. Brown {lightly). Oh, that ? Mrs, B. Yes, Algernon. Our hearts were touched at such devotion. Brown {feelingly). Thanks, Alberta, thanks. Saunders. You see, Mrs. Brown, we men are very dense at times. Mrs. B. Yes, I know. Saunders. We're so unlike you women. Mrs. B. That's a fact. Saunders. In our zeal for — er — acquisition, we often fail to view life in its proper relations. 50 THE SKY RIDERS Juliana (Jo Teddy). Listen to the psychological wonder of the ages. Teddy. Horace, the boy phenomenon ! Saunders {continuing). We lack something of the feminine power of intuition, I suppose, and need a shock to clarify our — er — perceptions. Brown {hastily). That's it — that's it exactly. And yes- terday morning — when the shock came — out there in mid- ocean, we saw ourselves all at once just as we really were, ambitious, selfish, brutal. Mrs. B. No, no, Algernon ; you exaggerate. Brown. Not at all, my dear. In that dire extremity, we realized that the welfare and happiness of those we cherished meant infinitely more to us than any conquest, terrestrial or aerial, and we vowed never again to risk our lives in such mad pursuits. Helen. Oh, what nobility of character ! Mrs. B. What exquisite sacrifice ! Brown. Sacrifice — yes, my dear; and greater perhaps than you will ever know. Mrs. B. Oh, Algernon ! Brown. But I ask one thing of you in return. Mrs. B. Dear Algernon, whatever it is, 1 grant it cheer- fully. Brown. I knew you would. It is this, my dear : never so much as mention the word aviation in my presence again. It is fraught with such bitter associations ! Mrs. B. {reverentially). I promise, Algernon, I promise. Brown {co?iti?iui?ig). More than that, should you ever again see my name blazoned in the newspapers or the maga- zines, I ask you resolutely to refrain from reading what is said of me, even though I am heralded as the aviator of the century. {Loftily.) That page of my life is — ah — hermet- ically sealed. Mrs. B. That also I promise, dear. Brown. Well, then, we'll settle down to a bucolic exist- ence. I like California, and I'm going to purchase a fruit ranch Teddy {coming forward). Please, sir, Horace and I would like a job gathering your peaches. Brown. Why, I don't believe Horace is anxious to change his occupation. He's going to marry Helen, you know. THE SKY RIDERS 5 1 Teddy. Precisely. And I'm asking for Juliana. Bkown {smiling). Oh, 1 see. Mrs. B. (with astonishment'). Asking for Juliana .?* Why, that's absolutely preposterous. Teddy (w^^/^fi-Z/y). Oh, I'm not worthy of her. I under- stand that perfectly well. Juliana. Nonsense ! Helen. You mustn't be offended at what mother says, Mr. Nixon. Of course, you may be a very estimable young man, but, you see, you haven't proved your mettle as Horace has done. Teddy. I should say not ! Mrs. B. Frankly, Mr. Nixon, you can't expect us to look with favor Juliana {crisply). Speak up, dad ! {Signijicantly.) Remember, one good turn deserves another. Brown {fiervously). Yes, yes — that's so. {Turns to Mrs. B.) My dear Alberta, aren't you just a wee bit severe on Mr. Nixon ? Have you forgotten how he stood by us when the gaunt hand of Death was stretched over the troublous waters? Why, if he hadn't stuck to his post last night, sending message after message out into the vast un- known, the '^Japonica" would never have come to our rescue, and at this very moment, I, your husband, would be reposing down with the shell-fish at the bottom of the sea. Mrs. B. {profoundly affected). Say no more, Algernon — say no more. {Turns to Teddy.) Mr. Nixon, take Juliana ; she is yours. Teddy. Thank you, Mrs. Brown ! I will try to make her happy. {Enter Koma, l. 2 e.) KoMA. Honorable ladies and august gentlemen — the lunch, id is served. Juliana. Good ! Helen. Lead the way, father. Juliana. Don't hurry. Wait for the music, dad. Brown. The music ? Oh, yes — certainly. (Juliana approaches the talking-machifie.) Teddy {to Koma). Did you assassinate the calf, Koma? Koma {gri?ining). No, sir. Honorable aviators lunch on birds, sir. I have cooked liddle quails on toasd. 52 THE SKY RIDERS Saunders. How delightful ! Juliana {looking up as she adjusts a record ifi the machine — teasingly). Sorry we haven't any nectar or ambrosia, dad ; but when gods descend to earth, you know Mrs. B. {tuith extreme dignity). Juliana, have you for- gotten your father's wishes ? Remember, we are never to mention his sky riding exploits again, (Juliana starts the music. Brown offers his arm /^ Mrs. B., Saunders to Helen, ^;;^ Teddy /^Juliana. Koma stands at side of door, r. 2 e., attentively. All exeunt, R. 2 E., to the strains of the music.) CURTAIN Unusually Good Entertainments Read One or More of These Before Deciding on Your Next Program GRADUATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. An Entertainment in Two Acts, by Ward Macauley. For six males and four females, with several minor parts. Time of playin" two hours. Modern costumes. Simple interior scenes; may be' presented in a hall without scenery. The unusual com- bination of a real "entertainment," including music, recitations, etc with an interesting love story. The graduation exercises include short speeches, recitations, songs, funny interruptions, and a comical speech by a country school trustee. Price, 15 cents. EXAMINATION DAY AT WOOD HILL SCHOOL. An Entertainment in One Act, by Ward Macauley. Eight male and six female characters, with minor parts. Plays one hour. Scene, an easy interior, or may be given without scenery. Cos- tumes, modern. Miss Marks, the teacher, refuses to marry a trustee who threatens to discharge her. The examination in- cludes recitations and songs, and brings out many funny answers to questions. At the close Robert Coleman, an old lover, claims the teacher. Very easy and very effective. Price, 15 cents. BACK TO THE COUNTRY STORE. A Rural Enter- tainment in Three Acts, by Ward Macauley. For four male and five female characters, with some supers. Time, two hours. Two scenes, both easy interiors. Can be played effectively with- out scenery. Costumes, modern. All the principal parts are sure hits. Quigley Higginbotham, known as "Quig. a clerk in a country store, aspires to be a great author or singer _ and decides to try his fortunes in New York. The last scene is in Quig's home. He returns a failure but is offered a partnership in the country store. He pops the question m the midst ot a surprise party given in his honor. Easy to do and very funny. Price, 15 cents. THE DISTRICT CONVENTION. A Farcical Sketch in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For eleven males and one female, or twelve males. Any number of other parts or super- numeraries may be added. Plays forty-five minutes. No special scenery is required, and the costumes and properties are all easy The play shows an uproarious political nominating con- vention. The climax comes when a woman s rights cham- pion, captures the convention. There is a great chance to bur^ lesoue modern politics and to work in local gags. Every part will make a hit. Price, 15 cents. SI SLOCUM'S COUNTRY STORE. An Entertainment in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eleven male and ^ve female characters with supernumeraries. Several parts may be doubled Plays one hour. Interior scene, or may be played ^ithotit set scenery. Costumes, modern. The rehearsal for an entertain- ment in the village church gives plenty of opportunity for specialty work. A very jolly entertainment of the sort adapted to almost any place or occasion. Price, 15 cents. Unusually Good Entertainments Read One or More of These Before Deciding on Your Next Program A SURPRISE PARTY AT BRINKLEY'S. An En- tertainment in One Scene, by Ward Macauley. Seven male and seven female characters. Interior scene, or may be given with- out scenery. Costumes, modern. Time, one hour. By the author of the popular successes, "Graduation Day at Wood Hill School," "Back to the Country Store," etc. The villagers have planned a birthday surprise party for Mary Brinkley, recently graduated from college. They all join in jolly games, songs, conundrums, etc., and Mary becomes engaged, which surprises the surprisers. The entertainment is a sure success. Price, 15 cents^ JONES VS. JINKS. A Mock Trial in One Act. by Edward Mumfokd. Fifteen male and six female characters, with supernumeraries if desired. May be played all male. Many of the parts (members of the jury, etc.) are small. Scene, a simple interior ; may be played without scenery. Costumes, modern. Time of playing, one hour. This mock trial has many novel features, unusual characters and quick action. Nearly every character has a funny entrance and laughable lines. There are many rich parts, and fast fun throughout. Price, 15 cents. THE SIGHT-SEEING CAR. A Comedy Sketch in One Act, by Ernest M. Gould. For seven males, two females, or may be all male. Parts may be doubled, with quick changes, so that four persons may play the sketch. Time, forty-five minutes. Simple street scene. Costumes, modern. The superintendent of a sight-seeing automobile engages two men to run the machine. A Jew, a farmer, a fat lady and other humorous characters give them all kinds of trouble. This is a regular gat- ling-gun stream of rollicking repartee. Price, 15 cents. THE CASE OF SMYTHE VS. SMITH. An Original Mock Trial in One Act, by Frank Dumont. Eighteen males and two females, or may be all male. Plays about one hour. Scene, a county courtroom ; requires no scenery ; may be played in an ordinary hall. Costumes, modern. This entertainment is nearly perfect of its kind, and a sure success. It can be easily produced in any place or on any occasion, and provides almost any number of good parts. Price, 15 cents. THE OLD MAIDS' ASSOCIATION. A Farcical Enter- tainment in One Act, by Louise Latham Wilson. For thirteen females and one male. The male part may be played by a female, and the number of characters increased to twenty or more. Time, forty minutes. The play requires neither scenery nor properties, and very little in the way of costumes. Can easily be prepared in one or two rehearsals. Price, 25 cents. BARGAIN DAY AT BLOOMSTEIN'S. A Farcical Entertainment in One Act, by Edward ]\Iuwford. For five males and ten females, with supers. Interior scene. Costumes, mod- ern. Time, thirty minutes. The characters and the situations which arise from their endeavors to buy and sell make rapid-fire fun from start to finish. Price, 15 cents. Successful Plays for All Girls In Selecting Your Next Play Do Not Overlook This List YOUNG DOCTOR DEVINE. A Farce in Two Acts, by Mrs. E. J. H. Goodfellow. One of the most popular plays for girls. For nine female characters. Time in playing, thirty minutes. Scenery, ordinary interior. Mod- ern costumes. Girls in a boarding-school, learning that a young doctor is coming to vaccinate all the pupils, eagerly con- sult each other as to the manner of fascinating the physician. When the doctor appears upon the scene the pupils discover that the physician is a female practitioner. Price, 15 cents. SISTER MASONS. A Burlesque in One Act, by Frank DuMONT. For eleven females. Time, thirty minutes. Costumes, fantastic gowns, or dominoes. Scene, interior. A grand expose of Masonry. Some women profess to learn the secrets of a Masonic lodge by hearing their husbands talk in their sleep, and they institute a similar organization. Price, 15 cents. A COMMANDING POSITION. A Farcical Enter- tainment, by Amelia San ford. For seven female char- acters and ten or more other ladies and children. Time, one hour. Costumes, modern. Scenes, easy interiors and one street scene. Marian Young gets tired living with her aunt, Miss Skinflint. She decides to "attain a commanding position." Marian tries hospital nursing, college settlement work and school teaching, but decides to go back to housework. Price, 15 cents. HOW A WOMAN KEEPS A SECRET. A Comedy in One Act, by Frank Dumont. For ten female characters. Time, half an hour. Scene, an easy interior. Costumes, modern. Mabel Sweetly has just become engaged to Harold, but it's "the deepest kind of a secret." Before announcing it they must win the approval of Harold's uncle, now in Europe, or lose a possible ten thousand a year. At a tea Mabel meets her dearest friend. Maude sees Mabel has a secret, she coaxes and Mabel tells her. But Maude lets out the secret in a few minutes to another friend and so the secret travels. Price, 15 cents. THE OXFORD AFFAIR. A Comedy in Three Acts, by Josephine H. Cobb and Jennie E. Paine. For eight female characters. Plays one hour and three-quarters. Scenes, inter- iors at a seaside hotel. Costumes, modern. The action of the play is located at a summer resort. Alice Graham, in order to chaperon herself, poses as a widow, and Miss Oxford first claims her as a sister-in-law, then denounces her. The onerous duties of Miss Oxford, who attempts to serve as chaperon to Miss Howe and Miss Ashton in the face of many obstacles, furnish an evening of rare enjoyment. Price 15 cents. Successful Rural Plays A Strong List From Which to Select Your Next Play FARM FOLKS. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur Lewis Tubes. For five male and six female characters. Time of playing, two hours and a half. One simple exterior, two easy interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Flora Goodwin, a farmer's daughter, is engaged to Philip Burleigh, a young New Yorker. Philip's mother wants him to marry a society woman, and by falsehoods makes Flora believe Philip does not love her. DaAc Weston, who wants Flora himself, helps the deception by intercepting a letter from Philip to Flora. She agrees to marry Dave, but on the eve of their marriage Dave confesses, Philip learns the truth, and he and Flora are reunited. It is a simple plot, but full of speeches and situations that sway an audience alternately to tears and to laughter. Price, 25 cents. HOME TIES. A Rural Play in Four Acts, by Arthur Lewis Tubes. Characters, four male, five female. Plays two hours and a half. Scene, a simple interior — same for all four acts. Costumes, modern. One of the strongest plays Mr. Tubbs has written. Martin Winn's wife left him when his daughtei* Ruth was a baby. Harold Vincent, the nephew and adopted son of the man who has wronged Martin, makes love to Ruth Winn. She is also loved by Len Everett, a prosperous young farmer. When Martin discovers who Harold is. he orders him to leave Ruth. Harold, who does not love sincerely, yields. Ruth dis- covers she loves Len, but thinks she has lost him also. Then he comes back, and Ruth finds her happiness. Price 25 cents. THE OLD NE^V HAMPSHIRE HOME. A New England Drama in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For seven males and four females. Time, two hours and a half. Costumes, modern. A play with a strong heart interest and pathos, yet rich in humor. Easy to act and very effective. A rural drama of the "Old Homstead" and "Way Down East" type. Two ex- terior scenes, one interior, all easy to set. Full of strong sit- uations and delightfully humorous passages. The kind of a play everybody understands and likes. Price, 25 cents. THE OLD DAIRY HOMESTEAD. A Rural Comedy in Three Acts, by Frank Dumont. For five males and four females. Time, two hours. Rural costumes. Scenes rural ex- terior and interior. An adventurer obtains a large sum of money from a farm house through the intimidation of the farmer's niece, whose husband he claims to be. Her escapes from the wiles of the villain and his female accomplice are both starting and novel. Price, 15 cents. A WHITE MOUNTAIN BOY. A Strong Melodrama in Five Acts, by Charles Townsend. For seven males and four females, and three supers. Time, two hours and twenty minutes. One exterior, three interiors. Costumes easy. The hero, a country lad, twice saves the life of a banker's daughter, which results in their betrothal. A scoimdrelly clerk has the banker in his power, but the White Mountain boy finds a way to check- mate his schemes, saves the banker, and wins the girl. Price 15 cents. Practical Elocution By J. W. Shoemaker, A. ^^ 300 pages Ooth, Leather Back, $1.25 This work is the outgrowth ol ictual class-room experience, and IS a practical, common-sense treat ment of the whole subject. It is clear and concise, yet comprehen sive, and is absolutely free fron^i the entangling technicalities that are so frequently found in books of this class. Conversation, which is the basis of all true Elocu tion, is regarded as embracing all the germs of speech and action. Prominent attention is therefore given to the cultivation of this the most commor form of human expression. Genera! principles and practical processes are pre sented for the cultivation of strength, purity, and flexibility of Voice, for the improvement of distinct ness and correctness in Articulation, and for the development of Soul powei in delivery. The work includes a systematic treatment of Ges ture in its several departments of position, facia expression, and bodily movement, a brief system of Gymnastics bearing upon vocal development and grace of moveriient, and also a chapter on Methods of Instruction, for teachers. Sold by all booksellers^ or «em, prepaid, iwfo fif^ cieipt of price. The Penn Publishing Company 226 5. nth Street, Philadelphia 0014211 9171 • The Power of Expression Expression and efficiency go hand in hand. The power of clear and forceful expression brings confi- dence and poise at all times — in private gatherings, in public discussion, in society, in business. It is an invaluable asset to any man or woman. It can often be turned into money, but it is always a real joy. In learning to express thought, we learn to command thought itself, and thought is power. You can have this power if you will. Whoever has the power of clear expression is always sure of himself. The power of expression leads to: The ability to think "on your feet" Successful pubhc speaking Efifective recitals The mastery over other minds Social prominence Business success Efficiency in any undertaking Are these things worth while? They are all successfully taught at The National School of Elocution and Oratory, which during many years has de- veloped this power in hundreds of men and women. A catalogue giving full information as to bow any of these accomplishments may be attained will be sent free on request. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ELOCUTION AND ORATORY Parkway Building Philadelphia