Part 18 (2/2)

KERCHIVAL. Gertrude! [_Hurries across to her, clasps her in his arms.

He suddenly staggers and brings his hand to his breast._

GERTRUDE. Your wound! [_Supporting him as he reels and sinks into seat._

KERCHIVAL. Wound! I have no wound! You do love me! [_Seizing her hand._

GERTRUDE. Let me call the Surgeon, Kerchival.

KERCHIVAL. You can be of more service to me than he can. [_Detaining her. Very heavy sounds of the battle; she starts, listening._] Never mind that! It's only a battle. You love me!

GERTRUDE. Be quiet, Kerchival, dear. I do love you. I told you so, when you lay bleeding here, last night. But you could not hear me.

[_At his side, resting her arm about him, stroking his head._] I said that same thing--to--to--another, more than three years ago. It is in that letter that General Buckthorn gave you. [KERCHIVAL _starts._]

No--no--you must be very quiet, or I will not say another word. If you obey me, I will repeat that part of the letter, every word; I know it by heart, for I read it a dozen times. The letter is from Mrs.

Haverill.

KERCHIVAL. [_Quietly._] Go on.

GERTRUDE. ”I have kept your secret, my darling, but I was sorely tempted to betray the confidence you reposed in me at Charleston.

If Kerchival West--[_She retires backward from him as she proceeds._]--had heard you say, as I did, when your face was hidden in my bosom, that night, that you loved him with your whole heart--”

KERCHIVAL. Ah! [_Starting to his feet. He sinks back. She springs to support him._

GERTRUDE. I will go for help.

KERCHIVAL. Do not leave me at such a moment as this. You have brought me a new life. [_Bringing her to her knees before him and looking down at her._] Heaven is just opening before me. [_His hands drops suddenly and his head falls back. Battle._

GERTRUDE. Ah! Kerchival! You are dying! [_Musketry. A sudden sharp burst of musketry, mingled with the roar of artillery near by._ KERCHIVAL _starts, seizing_ GERTRUDE'S _arm and holding her away, still on her knees. He looks eagerly._

KERCHIVAL. The enemy is close upon us!

BARKET _runs in, up the slope._

BARKET. Colonel Wist! The devils have sprung out of the ground.

They're pouring over our lift flank like Noah's own flood. The Union Army has started back for Winchester, on its way to the North Pole; our own regiment, Colonel, is coming over the hill in full retrate.

KERCHIVAL. My own regiment! [_Starting up._] Get my horse, Barket.

[_Turns._] Gertrude, my life! [_Embraces_ GERTRUDE.

BARKET. Your horse, is it? I'm wid ye! There's a row at Finnegan's ball, and we're in it. [_Springs to road, and out._

KERCHIVAL. [_Turns away. Stops._] I am under arrest. [_Retreat.

Fugitives begin to straggle across stage._

GERTRUDE. You must not go, Kerchival; it will kill you.

KERCHIVAL. Arrest be d.a.m.ned! [_Starts up stage, raises his arms above his head with clenched fist, rising to full height._] Stand out of my way, you cowards! [_They cower away from him as he rushes out among them. The stream of fugitives pa.s.sing across stage swells in volume._ GERTRUDE _runs through them and up to the elevation, turning._

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