Scene 1: Sitting-Room in the Maitland Cottage.

Anastasia discovered seated knitting at table, L. C.

Anas. War, and war, and war—and nothing but war! What earthly sense can there be in a lot of men standing up to be shot at, I’d like to know? Men making targets of themselves for others to practice shooting at! If they want to shoot so bad there are enough shooting galleries, where they can bang away to their hearts’ content. But that’s just the way with the men. They always will be doing things they ought not to. If the women only had the control of the Government, there would not be any war—never! Everything would be peace and harmony.

Enter Morris, D. R. 3 E.

Mor. [R. C.] Good morning, sister! Where is my little darling Alice?

Anas. Out in the garden with her mother and Hilda.

Mor. [Anxiously.] I am almost afraid to let them venture out of the house for fear there might be some rebels lurking in the neighborhood.

Anas. [Drops knitting and rises.] Good gracious, brother Morris! There is no danger of the fighting coming so close?

Mor. It is hard to tell how it will be. Warfare is very uncertain, although I do not think there is any immediate danger. The rebels are fleeing towards the north-west, out of our track entirely. The Union forces are but six miles to our west.

Anas. What if they should turn back? What will become of us?

Mor. True; but I believe the greatest danger is past! The rebels have a determined pursuer, who will not be forced back. Grant is not the man to acknowledge defeat. He has entered the fight to win, and I have faith in him to believe that he will not turn his back upon the rebels until he has forced them to submission.

Anas. Just to think that we might all have been shot and cut up—ugh! It makes my blood run cold.

Mor. But the danger is not entirely over. The enemy is getting desperate. Their supplies are cut off, and I fear some depredation from foraging parties. I must caution them not to go out of sight of the house, and not to allow Alice out of hearing. It would tear my heart-strings should harm come to my darling little Alice.

Anas. Bless the sweet child! How she does grow. Ah! brother, she looks more and more like our poor lost Alice every day.

Mor. Anastasia! I beg of you do not re-open the old wound. Revive not the bitter memories of the past, which still have power to renew the agony of a father’s woful loss. [Turns away.]

Anas. Forgive me, brother! I did not wish to make you feel sad. I’m too sympathetic—I’m—I’m—[She sits and cries affectedly.]

Mor. There, there! Don’t let us have a scene. John is about ready to start for the post-office. If you have any letters to send, you will please have them ready. I will go and seek my little torment, Alice. [Exit D. R. F.]

Anas. [Takes letter from pocket and reads it.] Ah, how he loves the child! Should anything happen to Alice, it would kill him. [Addresses letter.] George Washington Dollerclutch, Esq. There, you brave man! I’m so afraid his lion courage will make him too venturesome. History will be full of his great deeds of bravery and valor. But I must hasten, or I shall be too late. [Exit D. L. 2 E.]

Enter Hilda, D. R. 3 E. She goes to chair R. of table.

Hil. How cruel is fate! The friend on whom I had based my hopes to help me sustain an honorable recognition before the world is debarred, by the cruel requirements of war, from clearing my name of the stain and reproach heaped upon it by a designing and depraved villain.

Enter Adrienne, D. R. 3 E.

Adri. What! brooding again, Hilda? Come, cheer up! Put a firm trust in the Almighty, and He will help you out of your great trouble.

Hil. I do! [Rises.] But, oh! it seems so long to wait!

Adri. Alas, yes! We are apt to question sometimes, if He has deserted us. But, rest assured, Hilda, He is all mercy and justice, and will, in His good time, bring the balm of peace and joy to the suffering heart.

Hil. Thanks, my lady! You have been so good to me.

Adri. Nay, Hilda! I deeply sympathize with you in your trouble, and I feel assured that your villainous husband will, some day, meet the punishment he so richly deserves.

Hil. Yes, my lady. How near he came to wrecking your happiness, also. It makes me shudder to think of it.

Adri. Yes, Hilda! but Heaven saved me from such a fate. It is with shame that I must acknowledge that I was so blinded to his real character as to love him. Thank Heaven, my eyes have been opened to his treachery and baseness.

Hil. Oh, my lady! I am so glad to know that you forgave my silence about his true character.

Adri. I could not blame you, Hilda. It was a bitter lesson, and I can only reproach my folly for listening to his ardent appeals of love. I thought him a gentleman of the highest honor, worthy of the love of a virtuous and innocent girl. But your exposure of his utter depravity has saved me from despair. It has awakened me to a keen sense of the great injustice I have done him who has honored me with his name—my husband. Oh, the agony I have inflicted upon that noble, trusting heart! Oh, that it was I that drove him from me by my wretched cruelty!—perhaps to meet his death upon the gory field of battle.

Enter Morris, door in L. F. He pauses and listens.

Adri. Oh, may the Heavenly Father spare his life and bring him safely back to this bleeding heart.

Hil. Oh, Adrienne! then you love him?

Adri. Love him, Hilda! Yea. I worship him. The grand nobility of his soul has inspired my heart with the strong, undying love of the wife.

Hil. And does Reginald know of the change of your heart?

Adri. Alas, no! Pride—foolish pride—has kept me from making the confession to him.

Hil. Adrienne, let me beseech you, then, to write to him at once, and bring the sunshine of joy to his wretched heart. Do not mar your own happiness by withholding the true state of your feelings. Think of your child—your darling Alice. Do not deprive her future of the happiness of a father’s love.

Adri. I am so unworthy of him. Can he—will he forgive? [Aside.] His words when he left me—“Perhaps in time your feelings may change; if so, the words ‘Reginald, I love you—come back,’ will bring to your side one who will forever love you.” [To Hilda.] Yes, yes, Hilda, you have taught me my duty. I will unburden to him my heart. I will say—“Reginald, I love you—come back.” [Morris comes forward. Down L.]

Mor. God bless you, my daughter!

Adri. You here?

Mor. Forgive me, Adrienne, for being a listener. But I am glad, for it has convinced me how much I had wronged you in my thoughts. It has shown me the true and loving heart of a woman—of a true and loyal wife, who can yet be a pride to the loving heart of a husband, and a joy in the declining years of his father. I have treated you coldly, harshly, unjustly. I knew not the cause—the motive of your action. I looked but upon the result. I now ask, in all humility and deference, your forgiveness. [He kneels to her.]

Adri. Rise, most noble sir! I have naught to forgive! I, alone, am to blame. I have merited your censure by my conduct. Heaven grant it may not be too late to restore to your arms an honored and dutiful son, and to me a cherished and beloved husband.

Mor. [Embraces her.] Adrienne! [Kisses her forehead.] God bless you, my daughter! [His head droops on her shoulder. Adrienne gives her hand to Hilda, who takes it in both her own. Picture. Whistle scene.]

Scene 2: Wood Pass in 1st Groove. Night.

Enter Dollerclutch, R. 1 E., enveloped in cloak.

Dol. I got safely away without being discovered. The camp was wrapped in slumber, not a soul stirring but the sentinels. [Looks around.] If I’m not mistaken, I must be near the house. Ah! some one approaches! [He retires.]

Enter Hilda, L. 1 E.

Hil. If Reginald could but return, how happy they would be! I left Adrienne writing to him, pouring out the love which will bring joy to his desolate heart. [Sighs.] And there’s Henry, her brother! How my thoughts will always revert to him. So manly in his bearing—high in the appreciation of true worth. If I only were—but no! I must check the feeling that has sprung up here. [Pressing her heart.] I must not forget that my life is linked to another—

Dol. [Aside.] It’s she! I’m sure it is!

Hil. [Alarmed.] What’s that!—who’s there? [Dollerclutch comes forward. Hilda retreats, alarmed.]

Dol. Don’t be alarmed, my dear girl. Don’t you know your old friend?

Hil. [Comes forward doubtfully.] Can it be possible? Mr. Dollerclutch?

Dol. Yes, my dear girl, your stanch friend, Dollerclutch. [Takes her hand.]

Hil. I’m so glad to meet you! But what brings you in this neighborhood? Perhaps you know—Oh, tell me, sir! Have you any news? Relieve my suspense, sir!

Dol. I have news, and good news—I’ve discovered all; now don’t you faint. I’ve got the record of your marriage—and I have found your parents. [Hilda gets faint and staggers.] Oh, Lord! I told you not to faint—what shall I do? [He supports her.]

Hil. [Starting up.] ’Tis over, sir! The sudden joy nearly overcame me.

Dol. Now take a strong grip of your nerves—now do—that’s a good girl. I have not a minute to spare. I must get back to camp before my absence is discovered or I shall get myself in a tight place.

Hil. Pardon me, sir! I will be calm!

Dol. That’s right! [Takes papers from pocket.] Now listen! I haven’t the time to tell you how I was successful—that I’ll do by letter—but I’ve got the proofs, and here they are. That is the record of your marriage, and this is part of a letter from which, I think, I have found out that you are the daughter of Morris Maitland.

Hil. [Staggers.] Mr. Maitland my father?

Dol. Now be careful, I tell you! Don’t forget your nerves. Now listen to what I say. Take these papers and this dress to Morris Maitland. [Hands her papers and baby dress.] Tell him your story and I’ll stake my life on it that he will find a daughter and you a father.

Hil. How can I ever repay you for your kindness to me? You have raised a burden from my life that was crushing me. Heaven bless you, sir! May you meet the reward that your large and magnanimous heart deserves.

Dol. I haven’t got any such heart! you are mistaken—entirely mistaken. My action was in the line of duty—purely in duty, without any kindness whatever, do you understand? Now go! lose not a moment and be careful not to lose the papers. [Gently forces her to L. 1 E.]

Hil. I will, sir! and Heaven bless you. [Exit L. 1 E.]

Dol. Now, I’ve got that poor girl happy, now for my own happiness. If I could only meet my Anastasia! Now why the deuce didn’t I ask that girl to tell her to come out a few moments? George Washington, you’re an idiot to let a little excitement get away with your head. But who comes this way? [Dollerclutch hides.]

Enter Ralph, R. 1 E.

Ralph. So! Adrienne must be the magnet which drew him from his post of duty. I followed him like a ferret, and I’m sure that we are in the neighborhood of his home. Curse him, he can walk like a race horse! I had to run, at times, to keep up with him. Go to your Adrienne, you vain fool, go to the wife whose heart enshrines another. I wish you joy! But I too shall, perhaps, see an opportunity to speak to the proud and haughty beauty! If I do, I’ll humble her pride—curse her! [Exit L. 1 E.]

Dol. [Comes forward.] Ralph Murdell, by the jumping jingo! What brings him to this neighborhood? No good, I’ll be bound! If he should run across Hilda before she gets to the house it might upset all. No! not while old Dollerclutch can prevent it. I’ll follow the rascal, and, if he as much as attempts to injure a hair of the girl’s head, I’ll treat his black carcass to an ounce of lead. Hang me if I don’t see this thing through! [Exit L. 1 E. Whistle scene.]

Scene 3: Same as Scene 1.

Adrienne discovered at table, L. C., writing. Alice in crib, L. 4 E.

Adri. [Sealing letter.] ’Tis done at last! With what feelings of anxiety shall I count the hours until I have his reply! Will it bring happiness to my longing heart? Yes, yes! His is a love that time cannot change, nor separation dim! [Goes to crib, L. 4 E.] How sweetly she sleeps! [She kneels in prayer.] Heaven preserve my darling child! Watch over her with thy faithful love and guidance. Guard the father with thy holy protection from the dangers of this cruel war, and restore him safely to the bosom of his sorrowing family. [Her head droops. After a slight pause she gets up hurriedly.] I will take the letter to John, so that he will be sure to take it to the post-office the first thing in the morning. [Exit Adrienne, D. L. 2 E.]

After a pause Enter Reginald, D. R. F.; he looks around eagerly; places his gun against chair, R. 2 E.

Reg. No one here? How my heart does beat in anticipation of seeing my beloved Alice. [Looks around.] Oh, the bitter memories that haunt my mind at the sight of each familiar object! [Sees crib, L. 4 E. Goes to it eagerly and pulls curtain aside.] My child! my Alice! Heavenly Father, I thank Thee! She sleeps. Oh, Thou being of innocence, free from the taint of a deceitful world, I will not disturb the peaceful quiet of thy innocent slumber. Let me feast my eyes upon my sleeping darling! [He kneels.] Let the sweet picture of purity and innocence be forever hung in the desolate cavern of my bleeding heart, safely to guide me to that eternal home where the soul can find a haven of peace and rest! [His head sinks.]

Enter Adrienne, door L. 2 E. She goes to R. C. and sees Reginald. She is alarmed.

Adri. What means this? A stranger!

Reg. [Rises suddenly and turns.] Adrienne! [He turns away.]

Adri. Reginald! [She pauses, with heaving bosom.]

Reg. I beg your pardon, Adrienne, for this intrusion. The impulse to see my child caused me to forsake my post of duty. It led me here to have but one look upon her darling form. I have been satisfied and I am ready to return to the stern post of duty. [He turns to go towards door in L. F.]

Adri. And have you no word for me? [He pauses.] Not a look for the mother of your child? [Reginald keeps his back towards her. Adrienne stretches her arms towards him.] Am I so soon forgotten? [He presses his brow. Pause.] Reginald, I love you! come back! [Reginald turns suddenly and springs towards her.]

Reg. Adrienne! [She falls into his arms.] My beloved Adrienne!

Adri. [After a pause.] Now am I happy, indeed! My prayers have been answered!

Reg. Heaven is, indeed, merciful, in bringing this joy into my dreary existence! I fulfilled my duty as a soldier more with the desire to die in the service of my country, than to live. But now, I enter the fight doubly armed, for I now know that I have something more to live for besides my child—a loving wife.

Adri. Heaven grant you will be spared to us, Reginald!

Reg. We will put our trust in Him above, who has granted me the boon of this happy hour! Alas that I must tear myself away from my new found joy! But duty demands that I return at once to my post.

Adri. Nay, Reginald, I cannot let you go again.

Reg. Alas! Adrienne, you must bear the separation calmly, for my sake and for the child’s. I left my post without permission, and should my absence be discovered I shall be court-martialed. A few hours ago I feared not the consequences of my rash act. But now I dread it, for your sake. I must return at once, while there is yet time. Let the thoughts of our child be your strength in my absence, as she will be mine in the heat of battle. May the Lord of Hosts bring this bloody war to a speedy close. [Goes to crib.] Farewell! my child! [Kisses her.] Farewell! my beloved wife! [Kisses her. She clings to him.] Heaven guard and keep you. [Reginald tears himself from Adrienne and Exits door L. F. hurriedly, leaving his gun behind. Adrienne sinks into chair R. of table.]

Adri. Cruel, cruel fate! [Her head droops.]

Enter Ralph, door R. F.

Adri. [Starts up joyfully.] Reginald! [Sees it is Ralph. She draws herself haughtily erect.] Ralph Murdell!

Ralph. [Comes down R. Sneeringly.] Even I, Adrienne, your humble servant!

Adri. What means this intrusion, sir, at this hour of the night?

Ralph. I never had the pleasure of congratulating you before on your happy marriage!

Adri. Sir, you will oblige me by leaving this house!

Ralph. [Aside.] That cut, did it? [To Adrienne.] Pardon me, madam, but if you will allow me to offer my sincere sympathy for your loveless married life——

Adri. Leave this house instantly, or I will call assistance to eject you forcibly!

Ralph. Ha! ha! ha! I made sure there was no one about to disturb us ere I entered.

Adri. What do you mean?

Ralph. Just this! That there is not a soul within the reach of your voice. We are alone. But listen to me, Adrienne. I do not wish you harm—on the contrary, I offer you happiness.

Adri. I do not understand you, sir!

Ralph. When you married Reginald Maitland, it was not because you loved him, but to gratify a feeling of pique. You gave him your hand, but not your heart. That belonged to me! I have watched your husband every day and have read the unhappiness and misery that he tries to conceal. Adrienne, you are unhappy in the bonds that tie you to a loveless life. Therefore, fly with me, and I will show you a life’s loving devotion—a life——

Adri. Enough! Do not pollute further the sanctity of a true and honest husband’s roof with the vile utterances of depraved villainy. My husband I adore, and I will be loyal to him and faithful unto death. Your influence over my heart is forever broken, and I would sooner suffer death, aye, a thousand times, than to listen to another word from you, whom I hate and despise—yea, whom I loathe more than a viper in my path! Go, and may Heaven have mercy on your soul! [She turns away in majestic contempt.]

Ralph. [Sees Reginald’s gun and takes it.] Curse you! Those words have sealed your doom! [He shoots. Adrienne staggers and falls.] Ha! ha! ha! Now, my proud beauty, perhaps your pride is humbled! Ha! ha! ha! [Looks around cautiously, puts out light, then gropes for door.]

Enter Dollerclutch, door R. F.

Dol. [Feeling in the dark.] I’m sure he came this way—and that shot! I’m afraid all is not right. [Runs into Ralph.] Ha! [They struggle. Ralph throws Dollerclutch from him and escapes through door, R. F.] Confound it! He’s got away! But I’ve got his ring, which slipped from his finger into my hand. He shan’t escape—I’ll have him yet. [Exit hurriedly, door R. F.]

After a pause Enter Reginald, door L. F.

Reg. The house is dark. Adrienne has retired for the night. In the excitement and haste of my departure I forgot my gun. [He feels around in the dark.] I stood it here against a chair! [Finds it.] Ah! It would not do to return without it. I feel almost tempted to call Adrienne, that I might once more clasp her to my heart—but, no! I have delayed too long already. I will live on the fond remembrance of our happy meeting, and pray that the day be not far distant when I can feast my heart upon the smiles of my beloved wife and child! [Exit door R. F.]

Quick Curtain.