The Southern Cross | Page 3

The wound is almost healed, but mother can't
bear to have us mention his leaving us again.
Bev. Why, I had hoped to go back with him; I hate to be young. Why,
Fair, do you know sometimes I feel so crazy to go off with the army I
believe I'll run away, except--
Fair. Yes, I know; you mean mother. When father and George are gone,
we're all she's got.
Bev. I wish I'd been twins; then one of me could go.
[Fair laughs.
Fair. But if you had been, 'twould be just twice as hard for us to give
you up.
Bev. I say, let's go find father. They're walking in the lane down past
the quarters.

[Fair hesitates.
Fair. You go, Bev; I'll meet you near the gate. (She smiles at him). I'm
tired, I reckon.
Bev (slightly disappointed). I won't go unless you come.
Fair (sits quietly for a moment, then looks up quickly at him). Go on,
Bev, don't mind if I stay here. (A slight pause). Was there any news
to-day?
Bev. Nothing new. But won't it be splendid if General Morgan brings
his camp near enough for George and Carter and Gordon all to come by
and see us. Gee! I wish they'd come.
Fair. Oh, Bev, do you think they could? 'Twould seem too good to be
true. (She is silent for a moment). Bev, did you know Stephen
Winthrop and his command had been ordered to the South? Doesn't it
seem strange for a man with Southern blood to fight against his people?
Of course he is our cousin, and that ought to make some difference, and
then he was raised in the North with only visits here. And I suppose--I
suppose its natural, but then--I wish--Oh, I wish it were different.
Bev. I don't feel like he was our cousin any more. Didn't it seem strange
that he and Mr. Hopkins should have visited here just before the war? I
liked them fine. I believe I liked Hopkins best. I was awful sorry when
they went away.
Fair (quietly, without looking at him). Does that seem very long ago to
you, Bev?
Bev (surprised). Why, no: not longer than it was.
Fair. I was thinking--I can't help wondering if we shall ever see him
again.
Bev. Who do you mean, Hopkins?
Fair (softly). No; Steve!

Bev. We may, though I hope not.
Fair (surprised). Why?
Bev. He'd be our enemy now.
[Fair seems greatly troubled.
Fair. Somehow I can't help thinking that we shall see him again. I often
wonder if he's changed. He seemed so different from our boys--so very
different, somehow.
Bev. I wonder why you never like to walk down through the lane any
more? I don't believe you've been down there for a long time, not since
Hopkins and Winthrop were here.
Fair (quickly). Oh, yes, I have, lots of times. When Aunt Sally was sick
and when Uncle Joe died, don't you remember?
Bev. So you have; but I was thinking of the last walk we took down
there. Hopkins and I went off through the woods hunting, and you and
Winthrop walked down to the bars and waited for us. 'Twas night when
we got back, and you and he were still standing near the bars. The
moon made you look so white, I was afraid you were sick. That's why I
remember.
Fair (with an effort). Don't let's talk about that any more, will you,
Bev?
Bev. Of course; I didn't know you minded. Was that why you didn't
want to walk there just now?
Fair (rising). Let's go and look for Charlotte: perhaps she's heard some
news.
Bev. I reckon she's in the house; I'll call her.
[He runs towards the house, calling "Charlotte! Charlotte!" Exit into
house.

Fair (sits quietly on the bench looking off before her, greatly troubled).
I couldn't, someway I couldn't go there--to-day. Two years ago this
night! And yet how long, how terribly long ago it seems! He told me
he'd come back. I often wonder why I care: but it was such a happy
time!
[Her head sinks wearily down on her arm on the back of the bench,
covering her face.
[Enter from the back Col. and Mrs. Stuart. Col. Stuart is a large,
handsome, soldierly man of about fifty the typical Southern Colonel.
He wears his uniform and walks with a slight limp. Mrs. Stuart is a
pretty, dignified, matronly-looking woman, same few years younger
than her husband. She is dressed in a simple black dress of good
material, that has evidently seen better days. Fair rises quickly, going to
them. She places a chair for her father, who sits.
Fair (slipping one arm around his neck and pressing her cheek to his).
Dear father, Bev and