Harry V. Vogt

“ 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 [Pg 67] 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. ”

“ Madam, it must be evident to you that my hopes in life are blighted; that I would not weary your sight with the presence of one who would be a constant reproach to your misery and folly. I will leave you. Perhaps the day may come when your heart may change and turn toward the husband. If so, the words, “Reginald, I love you—come back,” will bring to your bosom the husband, who will always be true to his sacred vow at the altar. ”

“ 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 [Pg 74] 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. ”

“ I have a right to expect your love! [Adrienne retreats a step, her hand pressed to her heart.] Yes, Adrienne! Marriage is a holy act which ought to be based on the rock of love; else it becomes a sordid and disgraceful bargain, devoid of sacredness and heavenly sanction. [She recoils.] When I led you to the altar it was with the firm belief that our marriage would be a holy and sacred bond, founded upon the eternal principle of love. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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.] ”

“ Sam. Ah! Now, Dolphy, I’ll show you how to do it. Hush! She’s coming back! Now you hide behind there. [Pointing. Adolphus hides behind flower urn, C.]
Enter Adrienne, R. 2 E. Sammy falls on his knee.
Sam. Most adorable angel, whose liquid eyes do penetrate the inmost depths of my entranced soul, listen to one who has loved you from his childhood. Fill me with ecstasy by the avowal from thy honeyed lips that you will be forever mine.
Adri. [Laughs heartily.] Rise, you foolish boy, and go home and tell your mother to put a mustard draft on your feet and give you a dose of paregoric. ”

“ Father, you are mistaken in Adrienne. She is all that is noble—as free from deceit and the taint of the world as a child unborn. No, no, father! she is all that an honorable man could wish.
Mor. For your sake, I wish I could think as you do, but I cannot. Did she love you as a wife should, she would honor her husband so much as to show her respect, at least, to his father.
Reg. You had a right to expect a warmer acknowledgment of your welcome. But consider her fatigue. Time will command the respect and love due her husband’s father.
Mor. Love is a spontaneous outburst of the heart. ”

“ 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! ”

“ Nay, Henry! You are prejudiced—all women are not so. There are still many who possess all the noble attributes that Heaven instilled in her heart, that make her all that is beautiful and endearing in the eyes of a true man. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Adri. [Rises.] Mr. Maitland, you honor me with the offer of such a noble heart as yours, and could I accept it, I should be proud to wear it in my bosom. Such noble love requires a noble love in return. But I cannot.
Reg. Perhaps—in time—
Adri. Alas! I cannot give you hope. But friends we shall ever be. [Reginald turns away.] Will you accept the hand of friendship?
Reg. Yes! Yes! Pardon me! Friends we shall always be. [Exit Adrienne, R. 2 E.]
Enter Coriolanus, R. 4 E.
Cor. Sir Reginald, your honored aunt awaits your coming in the conservatory. ”

“ My deeds of valor have saved the day many a time—many a time. Do you understand? But my modesty won’t allow me to speak of them. Even in my childhood was I noted for my bravery. I took Mrs. Winslow’s soothing syrup with the most unflinching cour [Pg 56] age. Nothing would delight me more than a hand-to-hand encounter with a whole regiment of rebels. I would glory in the chance, sir! I have smelt powder many times. [He shoots off his revolver, smells the smoke from the barrel, and struts the stage. Henry whispers to Adolphus and points to Dollerclutch.] ”

“ 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.] ”

“ 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. ”

“ CORIOLANUS WELLINGTON, Who never smiles, and who thinks he was born to fill a higher station in life than that of menial.
ADRIENNE LOWVILLE, A Proud, Impulsive Beauty, who loves not wisely but too well.
HILDA WALLACE, Her Maid, whose birth is obscure. An innocent victim of misplaced love.
ANASTASIA MAITLAND, A Gushing Maiden of Forty-five Summers; very susceptible. ”

“ Henry in Captain’s uniform, and Reginald as a private, both seated on camp-stools, R. 2 E. Coriolanus, as private, sitting near the fire, R. C. Dollerclutch, as private, asleep in front of tent, L. 4 E. Adolphus, as private, doing sentinel duty, L. 1 E.
Hen. When did you hear from home last, Reginald?
Reg. A week ago.
Hen. And how is your little Alice?
Reg. When last I heard, she was well. Oh, Henry! she is the only joy in my life. The future of my child is the only thing that keeps me from despair. I live in hopes that I shall one day clasp my child to my bosom. ”

“ Reg. As good a fellow as ever lived; with a tinge of melancholy in his make-up, and a little bitter against the female sex in general. Heigho! Probably a victim of a heartless coquette. Hum! That awkward slip of the tongue has betrayed me. He has discovered my feelings toward Adrienne. [Leans against tree, L. 2 E., in a study.]
Enter Sammy Dewdrop and Adolphus Softhead, R. 2 E. They do not perceive Reginald.
Sammy. [C.] Hang it all if I don’t think we’ve lost the way! [Looks around.]
Adolphus. [R. C.] Why didn’t you listen to me and come by the regular road? Oh, Sammy! ”

“ 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? ”

“ Take his post as sentinel! [Coriolanus salutes and takes his post. To Reginald.] It is remarkable what a change there is in Adolphus. When I drafted him I thought he would make a poor soldier, he was so cowardly; but he has turned out to be one of the bravest men in the regiment. A soldier’s life has made a man of him.
Reg. It has, indeed! I have often wanted to ask you what ever became of his chum, Sammy. ”

“ Reg. I will attend her immediately. [Exit Reginald, R. 2 E.]
Cor. [Coming down C.] Coriolanus, I am proud of you—you have acquitted yourself nobly—you have made an impression upon her maiden heart, I feel assured. She recognizes the true nobility that is hidden under the garb of the menial. How I hate these clothes! Oh! Anastasia, thou knowest true worth when thou see’st it. [Walks to right.]
Enter Dollerclutch, L. 4 E. Comes down C.
Dol. Well, I’ve got here at last, and if I can only manage to meet Hilda. But how shall I contrive to see her? [Pg 30] [Looks around and sees Coriolanus.] Ah! ”

“ And they call that business; but it’s only another name for d—n robbery. But where is that confounded Coriolanus? [Calls.] Coriolanus! Coriolanus! Just like the rascal. Whenever you want him, nowhere to be found. When he is about, what good is he with his stuck up manners and airs? Thinks himself born to fill a higher sphere in life. But the only thing he’s good for is to stand him in the entry and use him for a hat rack. Confound him anyhow! [Calls.] Coriolanus! [Listens.] Where the deuce can he be? ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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. ”

“ Enter Reginald and Adolphus, R. 4 E.
Mor. Maitland, I have evidence here which accuses you of murder!
[Pg 81]
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.] ”