  Scene 1: Camp; Same as Third Act. Table, R. 2 E. Coriolanus on duty as sentinel, L. 1 E. Adolphus in front of tent, C., cleaning gun; Colonel Morrell, Captain Lowville and Major Murdell at table, R. 2 E., in consultation, as curtain rises. Colonel Morrell. I agree with you, gentlemen, fully, and I have concluded not to advance further until I receive more definite news of the movements of the main body. We will, therefore, continue in camp till I give you further instructions. Hen. According to all reports, the rebs are badly crippled, and Lee cannot hold out much longer. At all events, I should not be surprised to hear of his surrender to Grant in the near future. Mor. Yes, there is all prospect of a speedy ending of this bloody strife, and I hope we will soon have peace restored, that we may be enabled to return to our homes and families! [About to rise.] Ralph. One moment, Colonel! before you go! It is with regret that I must call your attention to a private in our command who deserted his post as sentinel! Mor. Indeed! His name! Ralph. Reginald Maitland! [Henry rises.] Mor. [Jumps up.] What! Reginald Maitland? Impossible! Ralph. [Rises.] I beg your pardon, Colonel, but it is a fact! Hen. Surely, Major, you must be mistaken! Mor. Reginald Maitland—a soldier ever ready to respond to the call of duty; always fulfilling his orders in the most praiseworthy manner—he desert his post? [Shakes his head.] Please explain, Major! Ralph. ’Tis surprising, indeed! but, nevertheless, a fact! I saw him leave myself—he seemed to be greatly agitated. He was absent three hours! Mor. Enough! Send for him to report to me at once! Ralph. [To Adolphus.] Adolphus! [Adolphus salutes.] Request Private Maitland to report to Colonel Morrell immediately! [Adolphus salutes and goes to tent, R. 5 E.] Hen. [Aside.] Strange! What can it mean? Ralph. [Aside.] At last! Enter Reginald from tent; he comes down and salutes. Ralph, R., Henry, R. C., Col. Morrell, C., Reginald, L. C., Adolphus, L. Reg. Colonel Morrell, I’m at your service, sir! Mor. Maitland, were you not detailed as sentinel last night? Reg. I was, sir! Mor. Did you fulfill your duty to the letter? [Reginald hangs his head.] You are silent! Speak! Reg. Colonel Morrell, it is with shame I acknowledge that I have proved unfaithful to my duty—I deserted my post, sir! Mor. Maitland, it pains me to know that you, on whose honor and probity I would have staked my existence, should be guilty of this offense. It is with regret that I am obliged to perform the duty which devolves upon me! Reg. Colonel, the offense is a grave one. I have merited the punishment it demands. I am ready to receive it. Mor. What was your motive in forsaking duty? Reg. It was an uncontrollable impulse to see my child, whom I had never seen before, that swayed my being—I knew not what I did! My heart was filled with a mad desire to see my child. Duty, honor, all was forgotten. I could not resist the longing, the yearning of the father, but I followed the impulse which completely overpowered my reason. Mor. And do you know that the penalty for your offense, according to the rules and regulations of war, is death? Reg. I do! and I will not shrink from receiving my punishment. I am ready, Colonel, to receive sentence. Hen. [Aside.] As fearless and brave as a lion! Mor. [Aside.] No! I cannot do it! [To Reginald.] Maitland, under the circumstances, and in consideration of your past praiseworthy service, and your undaunted gallantry in action, I will not execute the punishment which the offense merits. Hen. [Aside.] Bravo, Colonel! Ralph. [Aside.] Curse his sympathy! Mor. But I cannot let the matter pass unnoticed. I place you under arrest for three weeks. You will be confined in the guard-house under close surveillance. Private Softhead, deprive him of his arms and accoutrements, and conduct him in disgrace to the guard-house. [Adolphus takes Reginald’s gun, etc., and places them on the table.] Ralph. [Aside.] How it cuts his proud nature! Hen. [Aside to Morrell.] These are hard lines, Colonel! Mor. [Aside to Henry.] Yes, Captain! I regret it sincerely! I never before was obliged to do anything that gave me so much pain. But duty, as a true soldier, demanded it! Adol. [To Reginald.] Right face! Forward march. [Exit Reginald and Adolphus, R. 4 E.] Cor. [Looking off L. 2 E.] Halt! Who goes there? [Voice off entrance, “Friend bearing dispatches for the commanding officer.”] Advance, and deliver! [Coriolanus gets them and hands them to Colonel Morrell.] Colonel, allow me! [He salutes and retires to his post.] Mor. [Opening dispatches.] What’s this? Can I believe my eyes? [Reads.] “Adrienne Maitland, the wife of Reginald Maitland, was found last night, shot in the head. From the evidence I have collected, I am satisfied that the husband is the murderer. I send you the proofs. H. Carson, Chief of Police.” No! no! I cannot believe that that man is guilty of such an infamous charge. [To Ralph.] Major! read that, and say if that is not the most outrageous lie against such an honorable soldier as Reginald Maitland! [Hands him paper.] Ralph. [Aside.] Ha! ha! ha! Now will I have my revenge. Hen. How now, gentlemen, have you bad news? Mor. There! [Pointing to paper.] Read for yourself! [Ralph hands Henry paper.] Hen. Merciful father! Adrienne killed! [Staggers.] My sister shot? [With force.] Tell me, Colonel, who is the cowardly wretch that committed this deed? [Ralph shrugs his shoulders.] Mor. [Pointing to paper in Henry’s hand.] Read! Hen. [Looks on paper.] No! no! no! What! he guilty of her murder! No! a thousand times no! I would just as readily believe an angel guilty of the crime as I would Reginald Maitland! No! I will wager my life on his innocence! Ralph. [Sneeringly.] But everybody is not likely to share your opinion! Mor. [Taking Henry by the hand.] Lowville, I agree Hen. That evidence proves nothing, Colonel. Ralph. It is very significant though! Mor. One moment, gentlemen! [Reads.] “I also inclose a piece of blackened paper, evidently the wadding of the gun—also a bullet which we found imbedded in the wall.” [He pulls blackened paper from envelope—he smells it.] The wadding of the gun! [He smooths it out.] There is writing upon it! H’m! part of a letter. [Reads.] “i-l-d Alice!” i-l-d? child Alice, that’s it! “loving fath—” father, I suppose—“Morris Mai—” the rest is burned away. Ralph. A letter from his father. [To Henry.] The evidence is getting strong, Captain, is it not? [Henry is silent.] Mor. [Takes bullet from envelope.] The fatal bullet! [Examines it.] Here are two letters on it, R. M. Ralph. Gentlemen, the evidence is conclusive—he is guilty. Mor. Do not be hasty, Major! I am not yet satisfied of his guilt. [Aside.] I fear the worst. [To Adolphus.] Adolphus! conduct Private Maitland here at once! [Adolphus salutes and Exits R. 4 E.] Ralph. [Aside.] He cannot escape now. Hen. [Aside.] Alas! I fear the result! Enter Reginald and Adolphus, R. 4 E. Mor. Maitland, I have evidence here which accuses you of murder! Reg. [Recoiling.] Murder? I, Colonel? I accused of murder? Mor. Yes, you! Reg. [Quietly.] Whom am I accused of murdering? Mor. Your wife! Reg. [Staggers.] My wife?—my wife? my Adrienne murdered?—merciful father! [Pause. With forced calmness.] I beg your pardon, Colonel, but I pray you make me not a victim of such cruel jest! [Morrell turns away.] No! no! Tell me ’tis but a jest—tell me it is not true. Oh, Colonel, tell me that my Adrienne lives—lives—lives! [He is silent. To Henry.] Henry, end this suspense, this torture. Is Adrienne dead? Hen. [Taking his hand.] Yes, Reginald, it is true! Reg. Alas!—alas! [His head droops. Slight pause. With force.] Who—who is the hellish fiend that robbed me of my Adrienne? Tell me, that I might tear his cowardly body limb from limb. Mor. Maitland, you alone are accused of the crime. [To Adolphus.] Softhead! you will take down in writing the proceedings of this examination. [Adolphus at table R., Henry, R. C., Ralph near table, Col. Morrell, C., Reginald, L. C., Coriolanus, R. To Reginald.] Are you guilty or are you not guilty of the murder of your wife, Adrienne Maitland? Reg. I murder Adrienne—my wife? ha! ha! ha!—no! She, in whose happiness my whole soul was wrapped up? No—no! Mor. Answer, guilty or not guilty! Reg. Not guilty! Mor. [To Ralph.] At what hour did he desert his post? Ralph. Eight o’clock! Mor. [To Reginald.] At what hour were you in company with your wife? Reg. About nine o’clock! Mor. Did you have your gun with you? Reg. I did! Mor. When did you load it last, and where? Reg. Yesterday morning, in my tent! Mor. Did you discharge it since? Reg. No, sir! Mor. Is it still loaded? Reg. It is, sir! Mor. Major Murdell, hand me Maitland’s gun. [He examines it.] Gentlemen, the gun has been discharged! [He hands gun back—he then hands Reginald blackened paper.] Do you recognize that paper? Reg. [Looks at paper.] I do! It is part of a letter from my father! I used it for wadding. Mor. Do you recognize this bullet? [Hands it.] Reg. [Examines.] It is from my mould. Mor. Did you have any ill feeling against your wife? Reg. None! Ralph. Colonel, I can prove that there has existed bad feeling between them since their marriage! Mor. Make your statement! Ralph. They lived unhappily together until an open rupture caused him to leave her and enlist in the army. Mor. Your proof! [Ralph points to Henry.] Lowville, do you corroborate Major Murdell’s assertion? [Henry looks at Reginald. Henry is silent.] Reg. Speak, Henry! Hen. [Aside.] Must I speak? [After a pause, to Morrell.] I do! Mor. [To Reginald.] What was the nature of the rupture? Reg. I decline to answer. Ralph. That was his motive for the crime! Mor. Silence! [To Reginald.] In the face of the evidence, I am forced to believe you guilty. I regret that a soldier such as you have heretofore proved yourself to be, should come to such an ignominious end. [Ralph consulting with others. Henry walks aside.] Reg. Do you believe me guilty, Colonel? [He turns from Reginald.] And do you all think me guilty of this cowardly crime? [They all look away but Henry, who takes Reginald by the hand.] Hen. No! I would believe you innocent, had they ten times the evidence. Ralph. The evidence has proven his guilt most conclusively! Mor. [To Reginald.] Have you anything to say why I should not pass sentence upon you? Reg. I have not! Hen. Oh, Reginald, why do you not defend yourself? Why not make an effort to prove your innocence? Reg. Henry, what have I to live for now? Adrienne is gone from me. She has left the world dark and dreary to me. I long to join her there! [Points upward.] Hen. Prove your innocence. Let not the stain of murder rest on your honorable name! Reg. Henry, this is but the judgment of men. I bow to the judgment of Him alone who knoweth all things. He knows I am innocent—that is sufficient. I am satisfied! His will be done! [To Morrell.] Colonel, I await your orders! Mor. [Aside.] I would I could believe him innocent. The evidence condemns him! [Sighs.] I must fulfill my duty! [To Reginald.] Maitland, the evidence that has been brought to bear shows conclusively that you are guilty! Nothing remains but for me to pass sentence. I therefore condemn you to be shot until you are dead. Hen. [To Reginald.] Reginald, this is terrible! The Colonel has no right to use such haste. The evidence is purely circumstantial, and should require deeper investigation! Reg. Nay, do not blame Colonel Morrell; he has simply done his duty. Besides, why should the execution be deferred? Why should I longer drag out a miserable existence? I will soon be happy, Henry, for I shall meet Adrienne. But my child, Henry! my darling little Alice! Take her, Henry—be a father to her—guide her footsteps in the path of honor and virtue. Teach her not to despise her father—that he is innocent. Teach her not to listen to the sneers of the world, but to place an everlasting faith in the Father of us all, so that at the last she will find peace and joy in the beautiful realms above! Hen. I accept the trust, Reginald. God grant I will be faithful to it. [They shake hands.] Have you any further wishes? Reg. Tell my father I am innocent—that will be sufficient—he will believe me. Now leave me, Henry! Hen. Farewell, my brother! [They embrace.] Farewell! [Reginald kneels a moment with bowed head in silent prayer, after which he rises with a quiet air.] Reg. I am ready, Colonel! [Morrell waves his hand. Adolphus blindfolds Reginald, ties his hands behind him, and places him in position, L. C. Adolphus and Coriolanus take position on right.] Ralph. [Colonel Morrell, R., Henry, R. C., Ralph, R. C., Coriolanus and Adolphus up R., Reginald, L. C. Pulls Enter Dollerclutch, R. 4 E., hurriedly. Dol. [C.] Hold! If you shoot that man you commit murder! He is innocent! Mor. [R. C.] What mean you? Ralph. Will you allow this interference, Colonel? Mor. Yes! God forbid that I should shoot an innocent man! [To Dollerclutch.] Your proofs! Dol. My proofs are crushing! There is no murder! [Reginald pulls off handkerchief.] His wife lives. She is even now on her way to this camp! Reg. Adrienne lives? Thanks be to God! Mor. How do you know this? Dol. I overtook her on the road on my way to camp. She was almost exhausted, and begged of me to run on and save Reginald from being shot for her murder. I did so, and here I am, just in the nick of time! By jingo, I feel so good, I could shake hands with the greatest scoundrel that ever breathed. [He shakes Ralph’s hand.] Ralph. Colonel, you surely will not be imposed upon by that rascal’s concocted story? Mor. Silence! If she is not dead, it was not the fault of the intended murderer. He meant to kill her, and the intent is sufficient for which to carry out the penalty! Dol. [R. C.] Correct, Colonel! But that man is not the one who attempted the murder. I swear that Reginald Maitland left the house fifteen minutes before the shot was fired. I was watching one whom I know to be the murderer, prowling around the house; but looking after Maitland’s departure, I lost sight of the other chap. Some time after I heard the shot and rushed into the house and into the arms of the attempted assassin, who was trying to es Mor. And how did you get away from the rebels? Dol. This morning, by indomitable bravery and courage, I fought my way out of their lines and hastened back here to camp. Mor. Who is the man that attempted the deed? Dol. The room was dark; the scoundrel had put out the light; I could not recognize him! Ralph. [Aside.] Safe! safe! Mor. How do you know, then, that it was not Maitland? Dol. In the struggle, the villain’s ring slipped into my hand. Here it is, Colonel! [Morrell takes and examines it.] Later I also found this shoulder strap hanging to one of my buttons. [Morrell hands ring to Ralph.] Colonel, do privates wear these things? Ralph. Colonel, here are some letters engraved on the seal—R. M. Reginald Maitland! Dol. You lie! R. M.—Ralph Murdell, and here is where this belongs, you cowardly assassin! [He claps the shoulder strap on Ralph’s shoulder, which is minus one.] Mor. Men, secure him! [Adolphus and Coriolanus do so. Henry, R., Coriolanus, Ralph and Adolphus, R. C., Colonel Morrell, C., Dollerclutch and Reginald, L. C.] Ralph. [To Dollerclutch.] Curse you for a meddlesome hound! Dol. I said I would, and so I did, by jingo! Enter Adrienne, R. 4 E., out of breath; her head is bandaged; she is very pale and exhausted. Reginald takes C. Adri. Reginald, my husband! Reg. Adrienne! [She falls in his arms half fainting.] Adri. Safe! safe! You are safe! Reg. Yes, yes, my wife. Heaven is just! You have been spared to me by His great mercy. Mor. [Approaching them.] Pardon me, Maitland, for interrupting. Allow me to ask you one question, Madam? [She nods.] Who was it that fired the shot? Adri. [Pointing to Ralph.] There stands the coward who, failing in his effort to make me unfaithful to my true and loyal husband, attempted to murder me! Mor. [To Reginald, taking his hand.] Forgive me, Maitland, for entertaining one moment the thought that you were guilty of such cowardly villainy! I have wronged you deeply. Reg. I have naught to forgive, Colonel; you have acted only as a true soldier, and, had you not done as you did, you would have neglected your duty. Enter Hilda, R. 4 E. Hil. [L. C., to Adrienne.] You are safe, Adrienne. You rushed from the house in your frantic excitement. I feared your mind was wandering. Adri. Nay, Hilda! When I learned that my husband was accused of my supposed murder, I dreaded the consequences, and determined to save him ere it was too late. Hil. They knew not where you had fled. But I knew where your heart would lead you, and I followed. Hen. [Aside.] What a wealth of true womanly feeling is hidden by her quiet demeanor! [To Hilda.] Will you be kind enough to enlighten us, how it was that we received news from the Chief of Police that Adrienne was murdered? Hil. When we found her last night, we supposed her to be dead, until this morning I thought I detected signs of life. I begged of them to summon a physician at once. He pronounced her alive, but in a death-like stupor. After hard work she was restored to consciousness. Examination of her wound showed that the bullet had only grazed the head, inflicting a scalp wound, but sufficient to effectually stun her. Hen. Kind Providence turned the bullet’s fatal course, but it was almost the means of bringing a noble life to an ignominious end. [Pointing to Reginald.] Hil. Have you discovered the real culprit? Hen. Yes! he is there! [Points to Ralph.] Hil. [Staggers.] Ralph!—my husband? Hen. Your husband? Is that man your husband? Hil. Alas! yes! With what feelings of loathing must I make the acknowledgment. Ralph. Bah! you she-devil! I never married you—you were only a mistress! Dol. You lie, you black-hearted villain! Hil. [Producing papers.] You could ruin my character in the eyes of the world did I not possess this! [Holding paper aloft.] The record of my marriage to you. [Ralph recoils.] Dol. [To Ralph.] And I was the individual who saved that girl from your base villainy! I—do you understand?—I! Ralph. Curse you! Hen. [Aside.] Alas for my hopes! Enter Morris and Anastasia, R. 4 E. Anas. [Going to Adrienne and embracing her.] You dear child! How glad I am that we’ve found you at last! Mor. Heaven be praised, my daughter, I find you safe. [He embraces Reginald.] My son! Reg. Father! Mor. I am overjoyed at this happy union of loving hearts. [To Hilda.] Alice, my child! [Beckons her to come. To Reginald.] Reginald, God has been merciful to restore to us your lost sister—my darling daughter, Alice! Reg. My sister? All. Your daughter? Mor. Yes! my daughter! [Embraces her.] After many years of suffering and anguish has Heaven sent me the joy that I thought was buried in the past. [Takes Dollerclutch by the hand.] Here is the instrument of Providence who saved an innocent girl and brought happiness to a father’s heart. [Hilda converses with Henry.] Bless your kind heart! How can I ever repay you? Dol. Tut! tut! tut! I acted only on business—only on business, sir!—do you understand? Entirely on business—without any kindness whatever. I am more than repaid when I see the happiness and joy that surrounds me! [He goes to Anastasia. Up L. C.] Mor. That man’s father [pointing to Ralph] was the wretch who stole the child from our parental bosom! His father and I aspired for the hand of the same lady—I was the successful one. He, being of a very passionate and revengeful nature, darkened our domestic bliss by stealing from the cradle our youngest child, Alice! I did not think I had an enemy in the world who could be guilty of such baseness, until last night I received the proof which exposed him and restored to me a daughter. All doubts of her identity were removed by the discovery of a mole behind her left ear, which we remembered our child’s having. Morrell. I congratulate you, sir, upon your new found joy! The mills of justice grind slowly sometimes, but they are sure. Righteousness and truth will always receive its blessed reward. [To Coriolanus and Adolphus.] Men, remove the depraved scoundrel to the guard house and see that he is strongly guarded. [They do so. Exit Ralph, Coriolanus and Adolphus, R. 2 E.] It is a pity to mar the happiness of this hour with the presence of such a vile and cowardly rascal! [To Reginald.] Maitland, in consideration of the terrible mistake and injustice by which I almost sacrificed your life, I hereby revoke the order for your disgrace and restore you to honorable recognition by promoting you to the position of Major! Hen. Bravo, Colonel! Dol. Good! your heart is in the right place, Colonel! [Aside.] And so is mine! [Turning to Anastasia.] Reg. [Taking Morrell by the hand.] Thanks, Colonel, thanks! Morrell. Do not thank me, Maitland; you are more than deserving. Had you accepted promotion before when it was offered, for your gallant conduct and bravery on the field, you would long since have been even my superior officer. [A shot is heard.] What’s that? [All are alarmed and look off entrance.] Enter Adolphus and Coriolanus, R. 2 E. Adol. [R.] He’s done it, Colonel!—he’s done it! Morrell. Done what? Who? Adol. Ralph Murdell! He pulled a revolver and shot himself through the head. Cor. Yes! His rash act has precipitated him into eternity—he’s dead! Morrell. [Shrugs his shoulders.] Well, he has only saved me the stern duty of condemning him to such a fate. Hen. [Aside.] His act has freed Hilda from the yoke of misery and despair. [Commotion outside. Voices heard crying “Hurrah!” in the distance.] Morrell. What means this excitement? Dollerclutch, go and learn the cause! [Exit Dollerclutch, L. 2 E., hastily.] They are yelling hurrah! There must be some good news from the front. They seem wild with joy! Re-enter Dollerclutch, L. 2 E. Dol. [Rushing around excitedly.] Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! Morrell. [Stopping him.] Give us the news. Dol. Hurrah! The war is over! Lee has surrendered to Grant! Omnes. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! [Wild excitement and joy.] Reg. [Embracing Adrienne.] Then is our happiness complete. We shall never part again. Dol. And I will, at last, leave my bachelorhood and worship at the shrine of my charming Anastasia! Anas. [Falls in his arms.] You dear man! Cor. [Aside.] She throws true nobility aside [pointing to himself] for such a presumptuous old fool! Oh! woman! woman! [Sighs deeply and walks aside.] Hen. [Leading Hilda forward. To Morris.] If you will allow me, let me add my joy to the already o’erflowing cup! Hilda has—[Hilda pulls his coat.] I beg your pardon—Alice has promised to administer to my future joy, with your permission! Morris. [Joins their hands.] Bless you, my children! Adri. [To Reginald.] Dearest Reginald! The joy I have found in the new born love for my noble husband Reg. Let the agony of the past be buried in the joy of the present. [To audience.] And if you will forgive the impulse that led me from my post of duty, there will not be a cloud to obscure the sunshine of our future happiness. Morrell. The end has justified the act. Dol. I, too, have left my post of duty—but let the result be an extenuation of my desertion. Morrell. [Takes him by hand.] Yes! I overlook it freely! and I feel satisfied that He, who watches over us all, will not censure us for being led BY FORCE OF IMPULSE! Curtain. |
|
