The Southern Cross | Page 9

with all my soul! Now, I must give this love to you. Look at me--speak to me--say you will try! Say I may keep you in my heart, as I have done ever since that day, so many years ago!
[Fair has stood looking off into the sunset. She turns slowly, then speaks.
[Gordon enters at gate unseen by them.
Fair (in a very low voice). Carter, you know I love and trust you, and you know it's like tearing my heart strings to tell you this. But it is because I love and trust you as I do that I must tell you. (Slowly)--I cannot give my heart, or my life to you. They are not mine! Now!
Carter (slowly realizing). You mean--
Fair (in agony). I love him--
Carter (in a strange voice). I may not ask you--who?
Fair. Better no, my dearest Carter.
Carter (turns to the house, all the life and happiness gone from his face). Will you come in? We have not long before the wedding.
[Exit into house.
[Gordon comes slowly to Fair who has sunk down upon the bench, sobbing softly to herself.
Gordon. Fair!
[She looks up quickly.
Fair. Gordon! You heard--you heard what we said!
Gordon. Only that your love was not for one of us.
Fair (dazed). For--one--of--us. (Looking up into his face)--Gordon, do you love me, too? And you have heard!
Gordon. You must forgive me, even though you find that happiness with one who is our enemy.
Fair (shrinking wildly back). You know--you have found out! How have you learned that I--that we--
Gordon. It was not hard to see. (He comes nearer, laying his hand softly on her hair). Poor little pretty Fair! I saw then that he loved you; and all too clearly I see now that you love him.
Fair (taking one of his hands in both her own). You will not tell! (He turns quickly away). Gordon! Gordon! Forgive me! I didn't mean it--Oh, I didn't mean it! I'm only so afraid! Mother and father must not know! (She looks up into his face). He is our enemy!
Gordon. I love you, Fair! I understand.
[They slowly exit into the house.
[The sunset shows in brilliant red and gold at the back of scene, fading into purple twilight and then to brilliant moonlight through the rest of the scene. Enter Cupid from the road. He sits on the lowest step and begins to fill his pipe. As he is pressing in the tobacco, far off (Right) a bugle call is heard. The pipe falls from his hands. He pauses, listening. The call is heard again; this time a little nearer. Cupid jumps to his feet, runs up steps, throwing open the door.
Cupid (as he starts up steps). Fo' Gaud! hits dem Yankees! (He throws open the door). Marster! Marster! Mars George, de Yankees comin'!
[Enter Aunt Marthy hurriedly.
Cupid (very excited). Dey's comin'--de Yankees! Marster! Marster!
Marthy. What in de name ob Gaud's de matter wid you?
[Enter Bev, Carter, George and Gordon. They run down into the yard.
Bev. What's the matter?
Cupid. I hears a bugle. It's de Yankees! For Gaud's sake, run--run, Marster: dey'll catch you sho!
Gordon. Listen! (The call is heard again, this time nearer). They're Yankees, sure! Here--call Colonel Stuart, quick!
[Enter Col. and Mrs. Stuart, followed by Charlotte and Fair. Charlotte wears a white dress trimmed with flowers, and looks extremely lovely.
Col. S. What is it?
George. The enemy! They're on the road!
Char. Cupid, the horses! Do you hear!
Bev. I'll get father's for him.
[Exit Bev and Cupid on the run.
Mrs. S. Run! Fly! You've not a moment!
Fair. The horses are saddled at the gate. There's Cupid with them.
Col. S. Go, boys, quick, to join the others. You must retreat--you are too few.
Gordon. We will not leave till you are ready.
Col. S. For God's sake, go! I'll come.
[Enter Bev on the run.
Bev. They're Yankees, sure! I saw the dust far down the road.
Col. S. (takes Mrs. S. in arms for a second; kisses her). God keep you!
[George is saying good-bye to Charlotte.
Char. Go on! go on! You must not stop for us. We are all safe. God take you on to safety.
Gordon. We're all right; don't fear.
[They dash off (Left), Bev with them.
Bev (outside). I'll take care of them, father.
[The horses' hoofs are heard; they die away in the distance.
[Re-enter Bev.
Bev. They're off all right. They'll make the camp in twenty minutes.
Fair (clinging to Mrs. S.). Oh, mother, what can we do!
Mrs. S. Cupid, quick! You and Marthy get the silver; put it in the chest; bring me the key. (Exit Marthy and Cupid). We must be brave. Try to detain them as long as possible; our boys may have more time.
[The bugle-call is heard very near, then the sound of horses' hoofs growing louder.
Char. Is there nothing we can do to stop them? Stay, they'll come here to the house; we'll lock them out.
[Enter Marthy and Cupid.
Marthy. We