The Southern Cross Part 5

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 s.n.a.t.c.h 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, 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?