Fires of St. John Part 15

_You_ don't know that, Miss Marie? Well, I'll tell you. It is written in the new seal of Solomonis: "Whoever shall give or receive their first kiss on St. John's eve, their love is sealed and they will be faithful unto death." So it is written in the new seal of Solomonis.

Gertrude.

[_Enter C., hands behind her, with bouquet_.]

Marie, I have something for you. No, first I want Katie to leave the room. Go now, go!!!

Katie.

Oh, I am going--I am going!!!!!!!!! [_Exit_.]

Gertrude.

Shut your eyes now! [Marie _does so, as_ Gertrude _holds bouquet to_ Marie's _face_.] Now what is it?

Marie.

The tulip-tree! the first blossoms from our manzanillo-tree! It blooms--it blooms!!! [_Burying her face in the flowers_.]

Gertrude.

Are you glad, Marie?

Marie.

Yes, darling, so glad!!! Thank you!

Gertrude.

And do you know who picked them?--George!

Marie.

For me?

Gertrude.

Why, of course, for you!

Marie.

He--did this--for me?

Gertrude.

He would do even more than that for me, I am sure!

Marie.

Oh yes, certainly! But where is he now?

Gertrude.

I don't know!

Marie.

Did he say he had to go somewhere?

Gertrude.

Yes, he had to go out on the fields, he said--and that was quite some time ago. I wanted to accompany him, I begged and begged, but he flatly refused to let me go.

Marie.

[_Breathing heavily_.] Oh!!!!!!!!

Gertrude.

I don't know how it is; but to-day he is acting so strangely. Papa has asked for him several times--and do you know, dear, at times he is not at all pleasant to me!

Marie.

But why should he----

Gertrude.

That's just it! why should he? Oh, if I only knew--if I was only certain he loved me--and then, another thing--I don't know if I should tell you--I have a growing fear, some other girl will take him away from me.

Marie.

[_With forced laugh_.] Away from you, dear? how could that be possible?

Gertrude.

Oh yes, you may laugh; but at times, when he looks at me, I see a strange look come in his eyes. Half affection--half pity--and I don't want to be pitied! Why should he? Am I not happy?

Marie.

[_Caressing her_.] Yes, dear; you ought to be very, very happy.

Gertrude.

But I cannot rid myself of the fear, perhaps he really loves another and is only taking compa.s.sion on me! Oh, if I only knew----

Marie.

But, my darling----