The Southern Cross | Page 8

with your men?
George (gaily). But you must promise not to overeat or oversleep. We live in such great style, we Morgan men. Come in; let's tell them all. (They exit into the house.
Bev. Hello! there's Gordon. (Enter Gordon from the road). I came out to look for you. Have you had supper?
Gordon. Yes, I wanted to look about for a minute or so. I haven't been here for a long time now. Well, everything's the same. Do you know, Bev, I love this place as though it were my home.
[Enter Fair from the house, excited.
Fair. Oh! Bev, Bev, have you heard!
Bev. Yes; isn't it splendid!
Gordon. What is it?
Fair. Oh, haven't you heard about the wedding?
Gordon (slowly, as though anxious). What wedding?
Fair. George and Charlotte. They're going to be married here to-night. It's too lovely. I'm to be the maid of honor and Carter is to be best man. And mother and Charlotte are fixing up her dress with flowers. Isn't it splendid!
Bev. I'm going in to help. Maybe he'll let me ride down to the camp to get the chaplain.
[Exit into the house.
Fair. Come, let us go in, too, and help about the wedding.
Gordon. Fair, will you wait here with me? I've something I must say to you before we go in there.
Fair (surprised). Something you must say to me; I don't quite understand.
Gordon. Then, may I tell you now?
Fair. Had we not better wait for just a little? I've promised Carter--
Gordon (drawing back). You've promised Carter--what?
Fair (surprised). To go with him to get some flowers.
Gordon (relieved). Oh, only that. Well, I will wait. Only till you get the flowers, remember. I'll walk down through the garden. You won't be long?
Fair. He's coming in a minute. (Exit Gordon by gate into garden. Fair stands quietly for a moment, then covers her face with her hands; when she speaks, her voice is very strange). Coming here! Coming here! Oh, Steve, I cannot bear it! I cannot bear it! (slowly gazing off before her). And as our enemy--you whom I have loved--whom I now love!
[Enter Carter from the house.
Carter. Isn't it great about the wedding?
Fair (quickly trying to hide her grief of a moment before). Yes, yes, I am so glad. But we must get the flowers for her, at the bushes here by the house.
Carter. Aunt Marthy brought in all the roses she can want. And, Fair, I spoke about the flowers for just this chance of seeing you alone. We soldiers snatch our happiness when best we can. I've come to ask you for the greatest thing in all this world. I must ask now. (She turns away; he takes her hand). I love you--I love you! Fair, I fancied it would be hard for me to say those three little words, but it is not hard--it is very easy. I love you dearer than everything in the world. Fair, look at me. Surely, you have guessed this love. Look at me!
[She slowly faces him, drawing her hand away.
Fair (her voice very soft). You love me! You, Carter, my own dear cousin! You love me! Oh, Carter, I never thought--I never, never dreamed that it could be!
Carter. But now you must not dream. I say again I love you! It is so easy to say that to you now. Say you love me!
Fair (quietly and with an effort at calmness). Of course, I love you, Carter. You are my cousin, my kinsman, my own dear friend. Why, ever since I can remember I have loved you. But--but--such love as this you ask for now--Oh, Carter, can't you see--I cannot love you in that way.
Carter. But you can learn. Oh, surely, you can learn to love me! I've loved you for so long! It won't be hard to show you how that love can grow. Why, ever since you were a tiny little girl, I have loved you and watched over you and taken care of you. Do you remember that day, so many years ago, when you ran away and walked far down the road to meet your father? You thought you would surprise him as he came back home from town. You never thought how far you were from home. You walked and walked until you were so tired you sat down by the road to wait. It was growing late, and you were frightened at the darkness coming on, and you began to cry--for you were such a little girl, and it was getting very dark. And then I came along and found you. You thought at first I was a bear; but when I spoke, you ran right into my arms and kissed me, and said you were so glad I'd come to take you home. Ever since that day I've loved you--loved with all my heart,